• Rapid, precise Peltier control over a wide range of temperatures
• Variable speed magnetic stirring
• Dry gas purge
• Optical slits provided
• Optional remote computer control
• TC 125 temperature-controller included
Description
The top of the TLC 50 is a 50 x 50-mm square tower with the cuvette in the center. The height of the tower is cut to fit the dimensions required by the spectrometer in which it is used. A metal core in the tower holds the cuvette to regulate its temperature, and a plastic housing surrounds the core, providing thermal insulation. The TLC 50 has four optical ports on each of the sides of the tower. Each port is 12 mm high by 10 mm wide. The temperature of the TLC 50 tower is controlled by a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), a device using the Peltier principle. The TEC pumps heat into or out of the tower. For heat removal, a small flow of water passes through a heat exchanger under the TEC. For magnetic stirring, a magnet is located directly under the cuvette and is rotated using a small, precision, Swiss motor. If needed, a flow of dry gas may be passed through the base of the tower for partial temperature equilibration and then directed into the optical ports next to the cuvette surfaces, thus minimizing condensation. The TLC 50 includes a matched and calibrated TLC 125 Temperature Controller.
Cuvette Size and Types
The insulated temperature-controlled tower of the TLC 50 holds a standard 10 x 10 mm path length square cuvette. To maximize thermal contact, the cuvette is held into one corner of a tower by a metal spring clip. In its standard configuration, the TLC 50 is designed for a “z-height” of 8.5. Thus, the optical center line, or middle of the optical port, is 8.5 mm above the bottom surface of the cuvette. This is a convenient dimension because it minimizes the sample size in most cuvettes. It is also a standard height for microcuvettes and flow cells.
Special Options
| APOST-1, Accessory Post |
An optional accessory post may be inserted in the top of the TLC 50, with clips to hold tubes, probes or other hardware for special measurements. |
| SER 2.3, Serial Control |
Optional software, the SER 2.3 package, is available to operate the controller remotely from your computer, allowing complex functionality. |
| BATH 100, Water Circulating Pump |
The TLC 50 requires a small flow of water to pass through the heat exchanger below the TEC. To provide such a flow, you may purchase the optional BATH 100, which consists of a submersible pump, a plastic bucket and the necessary tubing and fittings. |
| WJ-50, Windowed Jacket |
The optional WJ-50 Windowed Jacket is available for work at temperature extremes. The WJ-50 provides additional insulation and windows covering all four optical ports of the TLC 50. When using a dry gas purge, the windows enclose the gas to help prevent condensation on the cuvette.
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| TLC 50/Z15, 15 mm z-height option |
For additional cost, most versions of the TLC 50 may be made for a z-height of 15 mm instead of the standard 8.5 mm. 15 mm is also a common z-height for microcuvettes and flow cells. In many cases it is also possible to make custom z-heights.
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| TLC 50/E, Extreme Temperature Option |
The highest temperature setting for the TLC 50 is normally 105 °C. A special version of the TLC 50 can be used for limited times at temperatures as high as 150 °C. With special care, this extreme temperature version may also be used below -40 °C (see Temperature Range).
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Mounting Requirements
As you can see in the page on Aftermarket Cuvette Holders, Quantum Northwest has the necessary knowledge to make versions of the TLC 50 for many commercial spectrometers. If you do not find your instrument in the list, please contact us anyway. With a little help on dimensions and the configuration of your spectrometer sample compartment, we can usually make a custom cuvette holder for a price comparable to that of one of our normal products. We are happy to do this, because it helps us learn about different instruments.
To make a version of the TLC 50 for a spectrometer, we must know some basic information about the floor plate of the sample compartment and how we must make a base plate that will mount in place. We also must know the height of the optical center line above the floor of the sample compartment. An easy way to determine this basic information for a new spectrophotometer is to measure an existing non-regulated cuvette holder. Utilities for the cuvette holder include two tubes for water (or other coolant), one tube for dry gas, and an electrical cable. These must pass out of the sample compartment in a manner that does not disrupt the measurement. Suitable methods for getting the utilities out of the sample compartment have been found for most common spectrophotometers, but we may require assistance and suggestions for new instruments.
Performance
| A TLC 50, controlled via SER 2.3 was run through a series of temperatures. The blue line shows the temperature of the metal tower holding the cuvette. The red line shows the temperature of a solution inside the cuvette measured using a thermistor probe. |
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Availability
You will need to specify the spectrometer in which the TLC 50 will be used. You will also need to tell us if you want a special option such as a different z-height or a high temperature option. Tell us if you would like a BATH 100 water circulator and whether you would like the WJ-50 Windowed Jacket for work at extreme temperatures. Considering all of the spectrometers that may be fit with a TLC 50, and the special units for high temperature and various z-heights, there are, over a hundred different versions available for the TLC 50. Some common configurations, such as the TLC 50 for the PTI fluorometer, can usually be shipped within about 3 days, but most require about 1 to 2 weeks for parts fabrication, assembly and calibration. Units that require special modifications, such as high temperature versions will typically require 2 to 3 weeks. New configurations require getting necessary dimensions and preparing designs will, of course, also require additional time for design.
Please contact us with your questions or to request a quotation. |
