Ocean Optics LPC-500CM User Manual

Liquid Waveguide Capillary Cell

LPC-100CM, LPC-250CM and LPC-500CM

Installation and Operation Manual

Document Number 041-00000-000-02-201106

Offices:

E-mail: [e-mail] (General sales inquiries)

Ocean Optics, Inc.

830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. EST

[e-mail] (Questions about orders)
[e-mail] (Technical support)

000-00000-000-02-A

Additional
Offices:

Regional Headquarters

Maybachstrasse 11
73760 Ostfildern

Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail [e-mail]

Ocean Optics Asia

666 Gubei Road, Kirin Tower, Suite 601B, Changning District, Shanghai,
PRC. 200336

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E-Mail [e-mail]

Ocean Optics EMEA

Sales and Support Center
Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E-Mail

[e-mail]

Copyright © 2004 Ocean Optics, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Ocean Optics, Inc.
This manual is sold as part of an order and subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated
without the prior consent of Ocean Optics, Inc. in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

Trademarks

Microsoft, Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Excel are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.

Limit of Liability

Every effort has been made to make this manual as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is”
basis. Ocean Optics, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained
in this manual.

Important Safety Notices

1. Do NOT use perfluorinated solvents with the LWCC because the amorphous fluoropolymer
tubing is soluble in these chemicals.

2. Do NOT exceed a fluid pressure of 45 PSI.

3. LWCC will function with most liquids (one exception: perfluorinated solvents) having a
refractive index >1.30.

4. Ensure that the plumbing fittings through the front panel are tight and free of leaks.

5. Minimize the injection of bubbles into the LWCC since they will cause erratic results.
Continuous pumping will typically flush the bubbles through the system.

6. At the end of each experimental session, flush the system with solvent and then pump dry. Avoid
leaving fluid in the LWCC for extended periods of time. Ocean Optics’ Waveguide Cleaning Kit
(LPC-CLEANKIT) is recommended for cleaning the LWCC between uses and sample runs.

7. Opening the chassis invalidates the warranty. Components inside are very fragile and are not
user-serviceable. Contact Ocean Optics immediately if you have trouble with the instrument.

WARNING: THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR USE ON

8.

HUMANS.

Warranty

WPI (World Precision Instruments, Inc.) warrants to the original purchaser that this equipment, including its components and parts, shall be free
from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year* from the date of receipt. WPI’s obligation under this warranty shall be
limited to repair or replacement, at WPI’s option, of the equipment or defective components or parts upon receipt thereof f.o.b. WPI, Sarasota,
Florida U.S.A. Return of a repaired instrument shall be f.o.b. Sarasota.

The above warranty is contingent upon normal usage and does not cover products which have been modified without WPI’s approval or which
have been subjected to unusual physical or electrical stress or on which the original identification marks have been removed or altered. The above
warranty will not apply if adjustment, repair or parts replacement is required because of accident, neglect, misuse, failure of electric power, air
conditioning, humidity control, or causes other than n ormal and ordinary usage.

To the extent that any of its equipment is furnished by a manufacturer other than WPI, the foregoing warranty shall be applicable only to the
extent of the warranty furnished by such other manufacturer. This warranty will not apply to appearance terms, such as knobs, handles, dials or
the like.

WPI makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied or statutory, including without limitation any warranties of merchant ability and/or
fitness for a particular purpose. WPI shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of
this product to operate in the manner desired by the user. WPI shall not be liable for any damage to data or property that may be caused directly
or indirectly by use of this product.

Electrodes, batteries and other consumable parts are warranted for 30 days only from the date on which the customer receives these items.

041-00000-000-02-201106 A

Important Safety Notices

Claims and Returns

Inspect all shipments upon receipt. Missing cartons or obvious damage to cartons should be noted on the delivery receipt before signing.
Concealed loss or damage should be reported at once to the carrier and an inspection requested. All claims for shortage or damage must be made
within 10 days after receipt of shipment. Claims for lost shipments must be made within 30 days of invoice or other notification of shipment.
Please save damaged or pilfered cartons until claim settles. In some instances, photographic documentation may be required. Some items are time
sensitive; WPI assumes no extended warranty or any liability for use beyond the date specified on the container.

 WPI cannot be held responsible for items damaged in shipment en route to us. Please enclose merchandise in its original shipping container

to avoid damage from handling. We recommend that you insure merchandise when shipping. The customer is responsible for paying
shipping expenses including adequate insurance on all items returned.

 Do not return any goods to WPI without obtaining prior approval and instructions (RMA#) from our returns department. Goods returned

unauthorized or by collect freight may be refused. The RMA# must be clearly displayed on the outside of the box, or the package will not
be accepted. Please contact the RMA department for a request form.

 Goods returned for repair must be reasonably clean and free of hazardous materials.

 A handling fee is charged for goods returned for exchange or credit. This fee may add up to 25% of the sale price depending on the

condition of the item. Goods ordered in error are also subject to the handling fee.

 Equipment built as a special order cannot be returned.

 Always refer to the RMA# when contacting WPI to obtain a status of your returned item.

 For any other issues regarding a claim or return, please contact the RMA department:

World Precision Instruments, Inc.

International Trade Center
175 Sarasota Center Boulevard
Sarasota FL 34240-9258 USA
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • E-mail: [e-mail] • Internet: http://www.wpiinc.com

B 041-10000-000-02-201106

Table of Contents

Important Safety Notices....................................................................................................A

Warranty .................................................................................................................................... A

Claims and Returns ................................................................................................................... B

About This Manual .............................................................................................................iii

Document Purpose and Intended Audience..............................................................................iii

Document Summary..................................................................................................................iii

Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... iii

Upgrades ............................................................................................................................iii

Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................1

Overview.............................................................................................................................1

LWCC Properties ...............................................................................................................2

Effective Pathlength and Linearity ............................................................................................. 2

Pressure and Flow Rate ............................................................................................................ 3

Mechanical Properties ............................................................................................................... 3

Light Throughput of Fiber Optic Cables .................................................................................... 3

Chapter 2: Setup...................................................................................5

Overview.............................................................................................................................5

Unpacking the LWCC.........................................................................................................5

Contents ....................................................................................................................................5

Other Accessories Not Provided ............................................................................................... 5

Connections........................................................................................................................6

Plumbing Connections............................................................................................................... 6

Tightening the Plumbing Connections .................................................................................. 7

Fiber Connections ..................................................................................................................... 7

Assessing if the LWCC is Free of Particles .......................................................................8

041-00000-000-02-201106 i

Table of Contents

Chapter 3: Operation ...........................................................................11

Overview.............................................................................................................................11

Measuring in a Continuous Flow........................................................................................11

Measuring Discrete Samples .............................................................................................12

Chapter 4: Maintenance.......................................................................13

Overview.............................................................................................................................13

Tips to Avoid Contamination ..............................................................................................13

Cleaning .............................................................................................................................14

Instrument Storage .............................................................................................................15

Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................15

Appendix A: Specifications.................................................................17

Index ......................................................................................................19

ii 041-00000-000-02-201106

About This Manual

Document Purpose and Intended Audience

This document provides the LWCC user with instructions for setting up, running and maintaining the
LWCC device.

Document Summary

Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Setup

Chapter 3: Operation

Chapter 4: Maintenance

Appendix A: Specifications

Contains descriptive information about the LWCC and its
properties.

Contains a list of package contents and unpacking instructions.
Also provides instructions for making fiber and plumbing
connections.

Contains instructions for measuring a continuous flow and
discrete samples with the LWCC.

Provides tips for avoiding contamination, as well as cleaning
instructions and storage recommendations. Also contains a
troubleshooting table.

Provides technical specifications for the LWCC.

Product-Related Documentation

You can access documentation for Ocean Optics products by visiting our website at

http://www.oceanoptics.com. Select Technical → Operating Instructions, then choose the appropriate

document from the available drop-down lists. Or, use the
of the web page.

Engineering-level documentation is located on our website at

Search by Model Number field at the bottom

Technical → Engineering Docs.

Upgrades

Occasionally, you may find that you need Ocean Optics to make a change or an upgrade to your system.
To facilitate these changes, you must first contact Customer Support and obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization (RMA) number. Please contact Ocean Optics for specific instructions when returning a
product.

041-00000-000-02-201106 iii

About This Manual

iv 041-00000-010-02-201106

Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The Liquid Waveguide Capillary Cell (LWCC) from Ocean Optics features optical sample cells that
combine an increased optical pathlength (50–500 cm) with small sample volumes (125–1250 µL) with
fiber optic capabilities. The LWCC connects with optical fibers to Ocean Optics’ high-sensitivity fiber
optic spectrometers and compact light sources via SMA terminations for simple, efficient measurement of
low-volume or low-concentration (ppb-ppt) aqueous samples. The LWCC functions with most liquids
(with the exception of perfluorinated solvents) having a refractive index >

Similar to optical fibers, light is confined within the (liquid) core of an LWCC by total internal reflection
at the core/wall interface. Ultra-sensitive absorbance measurements can be performed in the ultraviolet
(UV), visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) ranges to detect low sample concentrations in a laboratory or
process control environment. According to Beer’s Law, the absorbance signal is proportional to chemical
concentration and light path length. Compared with a standard 1-cm cell, a 1-mAU signal is enhanced
fifty-fold with a 50-cm cell to 50 mAU using the LWCC’s patented aqueous waveguide technology.

1.30.

The LWCC is available in 1-meter (LPC-100CM), 2-meter (LPC-250CM) and 5-meter (LPC-500CM)
pathlengths for absorbance measurements.

041-00000-000-02-201106 1

1: Introduction

LWCC Properties

Similar to optical fibers, light is confined within the (liquid) core of an LWCC by total internal reflection
at the core/wall interface. Optical fibers are then used to transport light to and from the sensor cell.
Designed for use with fiber optics, both LWCCs require only small sample volumes and have a high
optical throughput.

The LWCC is made from fused silica tubing with an outer coating of a low refractive index polymer. The
core liquid is contained by the synthetic silica tube coated with the low refractive index cladding material.
Placing the refractive surface outside the silica protects it from undesirable effects of the liquid. In
addition, the fused silica wall is impermeable to gases.

Lateral Section of LWCC

Effective Pathlength and Linearity

Effective pathlength and linearity have been extensively studied with the LWCC. Effective pathlength is
defined as the equivalent pathlength of the cell, assuming the LWCC strictly follows Beer’s law.
Although there have been several reports in the literature in which calculation of effective pathlength has
been performed, the theoretical basis by which to calculate the effective pathlength of the LWCC has not
yet been established. It is, therefore, currently determined experimentally. The effective optical pathlength
was determined to be slightly shorter than the physical pathlength (0.94± 0.01 times of its physical
pathlength), dependent on the LWCC’s inner diameter and wall thickness. This is caused by the fact that
light is partially traveling in the fused silica wall of the LWCC. By Beer’s Law, the absorption of a liquid
sample in the LWCC bears a linear relationship to the concentration of an analyte. The LWCCs were
extensively tested and proved to be linear over a range of 0.01 to 2.0 AU (limited only by noise and stray
light from the measuring spectrophotometer). A detailed analysis of the effective pathlength and linearity
of the LWCCs has been published (Belz

et al., 1999).*

* Mathias Belz, Peter Dress, Aleksandr Sukhitskiy and Suyi Liu, “Linearity and effective optical pathlength of
liquid waveguide capillary cells,” Part of the SPIE Conference on Internal Standardization and Calibration
Architectures for Chemical Sensors, Boston, Massachusetts, September 1999, SPIE Vol. 3856, 271–281.

2 041-00000-010-02-201106

1: Setup

Pressure and Flow Rate

The applied pressure and fluid flow rate through the LWCC obeys the Hagen-Poiseuille relationship.
Flow is proportional to pressure and to the fourth power of the diameter of the fluid capillary, as well as
reciprocal to the length of the capillary and fluid viscosity. A one-meter length of 550 µm ID waveguide
requires approximately 1.5 PSI for water flow of 1 mL/min.

Mechanical Properties

Maximum hydrostatic pressure that the LWCC can withstand has not yet been determined. It has been
operated at 100 to 200 PSI without observed malfunction (a silica capillary with a similar structure has
been reported to withstand pressures of at least 2000 PSI).

Light Throughput of Fiber Optic Cables

The graph below compare three different fiber optic cables (400μm, 500μm and 600μm) used with the
LWCC. The 500 and 600μm fibers are recommended to obtain maximum light throughput on the LWCC.
While the 400μm fibers are compatible with an LWCC, you can expect an approximate 50% decrease in

light throughput.

041-00000-010-02-201106 3

1: Introduction

4 041-00000-010-02-201106

Chapter 2

Setup

Overview

Setting up your LWCC involves unpacking the device and making fiber and plumbing connections.

Unpacking the LWCC

Upon receipt of this instrument, make a thorough inspection of the contents and check for possible
damage. Note any missing cartons or obvious damage to cartons on the delivery receipt before signing.
Report concealed loss or damage at once to the carrier and request an inspection (see
for information on returns). Call Ocean Optics if any parts are missing.

Claims and Returns

Contents

Your LWCC package should contain the following:

 LWCC unit
 Luer-fitted PEEK connectors with caps (package of 2)
 Quality Control document – Contains the effective optical pathlength of the cell for this LWCC

unit

Other Accessories Not Provided

The following accessories for your LWCC are required, but must be ordered separately:

 500 or 600 µm Fiber optic cables (2)
 Detection system including either a spectrophotometer, or a spectrometer and a light source

In addition, an optional Waveguide Cleaning Kit (LPC-CLEANKIT) is available from Ocean Optics. This
kit is recommended for cleaning the LWCC between uses and sample runs.

Visit our website at

http://www.oceanoptics.com for a complete list of Ocean Optics products.

041-00000-000-02-201106 5

2: Setup

Connections

The following connections must be made to use your LWCC:

 Plumbing (Liquid Port) Connections

 Fiber Connections

Plumbing Connections

On the front panel, there are two plumbing feed-through (liquid) ports labeled SAMPLE IN and
SAMPLE OUT. It does not matter which one is used for the plumbing input or the plumbing output.

However, if an inline filter is to be installed, connect it on the input side of the liquid flow path. For
experimental consistency, once you have assigned which fitting will be the plumbing input and which one
will be the plumbing output, try not to switch the plumbing configuration. Install the luer-fitted
connectors to the ports. These fittings can be removed if the LWCC is to be connected to a fluid injection
analysis system or a liquid chromatography column.

Luer fittings may be replaced with other 1/16 inch (1.64 mm) OD tubing. Loosen the small nut at the base
of the luer fitting, remove the fitting, insert new tubing and tighten the nut. If a Sample Injector Kit is to
be used, it will take the place of the

SAMPLE IN connector.

The tubing goes over the plumbing fittings, which are standard ¼-28 threads. The tubing should fit snugly
over the fittings and be free of leaks.

► Procedure

1. Attach one end of the tubing to your pump. The pump used must not pump the solution so fast
that the fluid pressure exceeds 45 PSI.

Note

Remember to always turn off the pump in-between taking a reference and taking sample
measurements.

2. Make sure you have a proper waste receptacle for the other end of the tubing.

6 041-00000-010-02-201106

2: Setup

Example LWCC Experimental Setup

Tightening the Plumbing Connections

The plumbing connections inside the LWCC are standard industry fittings. No maintenance is required.
However, if leaks develop, the plumbing connections need to be tightened.

► Procedure

To tighten the plumbing connections,

1. Remove the back panel.

2. Carefully slide off the top cover, being careful not to damage or pinch the tubing or fiber.

3. Hand-tighten the fittings and reassemble the cover and back panel.

Fiber Connections

Caution

Unlike electric cables, fiber optic cables are fragile as they contain glass and are
subject to breakage. Avoid sharp bends in the cables and protect them from impact
or permanent damage can result.

The light source and detector connect to the LWCC via two SMA-terminated fiber optic patch assemblies
with a core diameter of 500 or 600 µm. For convenience only, each LWCC has the fiber optic
connections marked as
that either connector can be used to connect to the light source or to the spectrometer. Use these fiber
optic connections to connect the LWCC to a light source and spectrometer (detector) module of your
spectrophotometer system.

LIGHT IN and LIGHT OUT. The fiber optic connections are interchangeable in

041-00000-010-02-201106 7

2: Setup

The fiber inside the LWCC has a core diameter of 500 μm.

► Procedure

To connect the optical fibers,

1. Attach one end of an illumination fiber to a port on the LWCC.

2. Attach the other end of the fiber to your light source.

3. Attach one end of a read fiber to the second port on the LWCC.

4. Attach the other end of the fiber to your spectrometer.

Assessing if the LWCC is Free of Particles

Fluids need to be relatively particle-free. Particles larger than 20 m can be trapped inside the tubing and
can then block or scatter a significant amount of light.

► Procedure

To rid the LWCC of particles, follow these steps:

1. Pump the sample fluid through the LWCC.

8 041-00000-010-02-201106

2: Setup

2. While in Scope Mode, save a dark spectrum with the light source off and a reference spectrum
with the light source on.

3. Continue to pump the sample fluid and switch to the Absorbance Mode. Ideally, you should see a
spectrally flat line (see

Example Spectra below). Particle effects manifest themselves as an
exponentially decreasing curve from shorter to longer wavelengths. The length of time that you
pump the sample and the magnitude of the absorbance peak depend upon the time required and
the minimum detectable absorbance value for your specific analyses. Prefiltering of the sample
may be required to eliminate this exponentially decreasing absorbance spectrum if it is significant
to your analyses.

The following sample fluorescence spectra of quinine sulfate solution were obtained with an S2000 Fiber
Optic Spectrometer (100

m slit, L2 Detector Collection Lens) and 1-meter LWCC with built-in 365-nm
excitation source. The integration period was 500 milliseconds. Intensity was linear with concentration.
The lowest detectable concentration of the sample was ~0.5 ppb.

Example Spectra

041-00000-010-02-201106 9

2: Setup

10 041-00000-010-02-201106

Overview

Using your LWCC system you can measure liquids

 In a continuous flow, or

 Using discrete samples

Caution

Materials exposed to fluid in the LWCC are CTFE, PEEK and fused silica. Any
chemical that could harm these substances should not be used in the LWCC. For
example, hydrofluoride (HF) dissolves silica, and PEEK can be damaged by
concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids (40% w/w or greater).

Chapter 3

Operation

Keeping the LWCC clean is essential for a stable result. See Cleaning in Chapter 4: Maintenance.

Measuring in a Continuous Flow

► Procedure

1. To help prevent clogging the ports, filter all samples using a 0.2µm vacuum filtration disc before

injection into the LWCC.

2. Connect the LWCC to a light source and a detector with fiber optic cables.

3. Clean the LWCC using the standard cleaning procedure described in Chapter 4:

4. Connect the liquid source to the LWCC system. The standard Luer fitting at the LWCC input and
output can be replaced with

1.5-3.0 PSI is necessary to run liquid through the LWCC.

1/16-inch (1.64 mm) tubing if necessary. A pressure of approx.

Maintenance.

041-00000-000-02-201106 11

3: Operation

5. Flush the LWCC with de-ionized water or experimental buffer solution using a pump or a syringe
at a rate of 1mL/minute and observe the light intensity or absorbance baseline on the detector.
Continue flushing until the signal is stable. (See
the signal does not stabilize appropriately.)

Troubleshooting in Chapter 4: Maintenance if

Measuring Discrete Samples

Discrete samples can be measured with the LWCC by introducing the sample with a syringe. Sample
volumes approximately 1.5 – 3 times the cell volume are necessary to fill the LWCC. When injecting a
sample or reference solution, apply consistent hand pressure to the syringe. Small variations in baseline
levels may result from using this method.

► Procedure

1. Using fiber optic cables, connect the LWCC to a light source and a detector.

2. Clean the LWCC using the standard cleaning procedure described in Chapter 4:

3. Flush the LWCC with de-ionized water or experimental buffer solution using a syringe and
observe the light intensity or absorbance baseline on the detector until the signal is stable.

4. Introduce the sample
generating air bubbles.

slowly into the LWCC with a syringe using steady pressure to avoid

Maintenance.

12 041-00000-010-02-201106

Chapter 4

Maintenance

Overview

Thorough and consistent cleaning routines are essential for maintaining the instrument and ensuring
optimal operation.

Tips to Avoid Contamination

The following information about contamination has been collected during the development and testing of
the LWCC:

 Most syringe filters contain some contaminants that absorb UV (probably the plastic mold release

agent). The first few milliliters of solution coming from a new filter will have some absorption in
the UV range due to the mold release agent.

 The first two loads of solution from most new plastic syringes often have some contamination

that absorbs UV. In addition, when plastic syringes are used to transfer organic solvents, the
rubbery gasket material in the plunger absorbs some of the chemical. If the syringe is later used to
transfer aqueous solution, the chemical will slowly leach out. Since most organic solvents have an
absorbance in the UV range, the liquid initially released from the syringe might be found to have
a different spectrum than the last of the liquid in the syringe, the latter having been contaminated
by the chemical in the plunger. Some commonly used organic solvents with relatively low UV
absorption that are suitable for UV detection in conventional spectrometers might not be
problem-free when used in the LWCC.

 A beaker of freshly filtered water sitting overnight in open air will probably have an increased

absorbance in the UV range because of dust from the air or growth of microorganisms.

 Some plastic tubing release a substance that absorbs UV. In lab tests, silicone tubing used in a

peristaltic pump constantly released a contaminant even after a week of washing.

 A bubble in the LWCC will result in unstable readings. Additional liquid circulating through the

device will usually push the bubble out. If the bubble doesn’t clear easily, try introducing a larger
bubble followed by liquid. This will usually pick up a small bubble that may cling and cause
problems.

041-00000-000-02-201106 13

4: Maintenance

 Avoid introducing particulate matter into the LWCC. If they are trapped in the LWCC, particles

can scatter light and may cause unstable spectrometer readings. The LWCC contains two
potential bottlenecks at the fiber-capillary interface. For the 550 µm ID waveguide, the
bottlenecks are 75 µm-wide ring gaps. If a particle larger than 60 µm is forced into the waveguide
and trapped there, it can take a lot of effort to remove it. Due to the diverse applications of
LWCC, no in-line filter can be installed which will fit all users’ needs. It is imperative, therefore,
that a proper in-line filter be added to the LWCC if the solution contains large particles. When the
LWCC is directly connected to a chromatography column, a filter might not be necessary.

Cleaning

Before and after each usage of the LWCC, it is recommended that cleaning be performed. A Waveguide
Cleaning Kit made especially for the LWCC is available from Ocean Optics (LPC-CLEANKIT).

► Procedure

To clean your LWCC, use the following procedure:

1. Connect exit tubing (silicon or equivalent) from the OUTFLOW port of the LWCC to a waste
container.

2. Rinse the cell thoroughly using Ultra Pure water.

3. Obtain a new reference intensity and take a baseline absorbance reading.

4. Fill a 1 cc syringe with “Cleaning Solution 1” and inject it into the LWCC’s INFLOW port via
the Luer fitting adapters provided with your LWCC.

5. Fill a 1 cc glass-type syringe with “Methanol Solution 2” and inject it into the INFLOW port of
the LWCC.

6. Fill a 1 cc syringe with “HCl Solution 3” and inject it into the INFLOW port of the LWCC.

7. Flush out cleaning solutions with distilled Ultra Pure, reverse osmosis, or equivalent quality water
and take an absorbance reading.

8. Repeat these cleaning cycles until a stable absorbance signal can be obtained.

14 041-00000-010-02-201106

4: Maintenance

Instrument Storage

Caution

Do not partially dry the LWCC and leave it open to the air. Oxygen in the air may
facilitate the growth of microorganisms inside the device.

To store the instrument, clean the LWCC and then fill it with an 80/20 solution of distilled water/methyl
alcohol. Seal the INFLOW and OUTFLOW ports using either the caps provided or an alternative.

Troubleshooting

The LWCC is a highly sensitive device, and it is extremely important to keep it clean. This is especially
important when working in the ultraviolet range, where unexpected results can often be produced by
contamination of the experimental solution. The high sensitivity of the LWCC may create some problems
that can be easily overcome with care and forethought. Therefore, you may need to develop new skills in
handling both the equipment and the samples being examined.

Typical Contamination Effect Possible Cause(s) Suggested Solution(s)

Transmission in both UV
and visible ranges becomes
low or very unstable.

Transmission in the UV
range is low. Transmission
in the visible range is OK
and stable.

Transmission below 250 nm
is low. Transmission in the
visible range is OK and
stable.

A contamination layer (such as
biofilm) is sticking to the LWCC wall.
Or, a particle is trapped in the
LWCC.

1. Optic fiber and silica tubing are
coated by a layer of metal
corrosion.

2. Optic fiber and silica tubing are
coated by a layer of organics.

Contamination of fiber optic cable
end-faces with a metal film
generated during repeated
connection attempts.

Flush the cell for 30 seconds each
with each of the 3 cleaning
solvents contained in the
Waveguide Cleaning Kit.

OR

Prepare a 5% surfectant using
Ultrasonic cleaning solution,
followed by HPLC-grade Methanol
and HPLC-grade 2N HCl solution.

1. Flush with 1 N HCl.

2. Flush with an organic solvent,
such as acetonitrile.

Wipe all fiber optic endfaces and
fiber connections (on front of the
LWCC) using a fiber optic foam
swab dipped in methyl alcohol.
Use of cotton swabs (Q-Tips) is
recommended.

not

041-00000-010-02-201106 15

4: Maintenance

16 041-00000-010-02-201106

Appendix A

Specifications

Specification Value

Waveguide material Fused silica tubing coated with a low refractive index

polymer

Optical pathlength 50, 100, 250, 500 cm

Inner diameter 550 µm

Internal volume ~125–1250 µL

Sample inlet/outlet compression fitting 1/16 in., 1/32 in.

Fiber core diameter 500 µm

Maximum temperature 160ºC

Gas permeability of cell None

Minimum pressures 1.5–3 PSI

Maximum pressure 100 PSI

Solvent resistance Most organic and inorganic solvents

Shipping weight 3 lbs. (1.36 kg)

Path lengths 1-meter, 2-meter, 5-meter (standard); custom lengths also

available

Tubing Teflon® Amorphous Fluoropolymer 2400

~560 µm inner diameter, ~800 µm outer diameter

Refractive index 1.29

041-00000-000-02-201106 17

A: Specifications

Specification Value

Internal volume 125 -- 1250 µl

Chemical resistance Tubing can be altered by perfluorinated solvents,

FREON® 113, and Perclene®

Recommended optical fibers for coupling

500 µm

to spectrometers and light sources

Plumbing fittings Standard ¼ in. x 28 chromatography fittings

18 041-00000-010-02-201106

Index

A

accessories, 5
assessment of particles, 8

C

claims, B
cleaning, 14
connection, 6

fiber, 7
plumbing, 6

contamination, 13

D

document

audience, iii
purpose, iii
summary, iii

E

example

setup, 7
spectra, 9

P

package contents, 5
particle assessment, 8
pathlength, 2
plumbing connection, 6

tightening, 7
pressure, 3
product-related documentation, iii
properties, 2
PSI, 3

R

returns, B

S

setup, 5
specifications, 17
storage, 15

T

tightening plumbing connections, 7
troubleshooting, 15

F

fiber connection, 7
fiber optic cables

light throughput, 3

flow rate, 3

L

light throughput, 3
linearity, 2

041-00000-000-02-201106 19

unpacking, 5
upgrades, iii

warranty, A

U

W

Index

20 041-00000-010-02-201106