To illustrate the benefits of Starna Scientific's new Type 19FL ultra-micro cell, the company has devised an experiment that uses the 5 µL cell to measure a solution of fluorescent dye from a yellow highlight pen. A dilute solution of the pen's fluorescent dye was prepared and pipetted into a standard 1 cm square fluorescence cell. Prescan was used to determine the optimal wavelengths for excitation and emission. The wavelengths were then selected for study. The Varian Cary Eclipse was used to carry out the experiment. The optical configuration of the cell is suitably matched to the beam profile of the instrument to optimise the available energy entering the sample being measured. The use of a collimation lens on the emission window and mirror coating on opposed faces amplifies emission output for improved sensitivity. All measurements were made using the Varian Eclipse fluorimeter which was equipped with a standard cell holder and a Starna 10.0F/L/Q/5/Z20 5 µL cell. Conditions were adjusted to provide a reasonable scale readout. Comparative quantitation was established by keeping the instrument constant.
