System Overview 27
Spectrophotometer
1) Photometer
2) Halogen Lamp
3) Cooling Tank
Figure 1-19. Location of the Spectrophotometer
The spectrophotometer measures the amount of light absorbed at 14 specific wavelengths
by liquids contained in reaction cuvettes.
Every six seconds, the reaction tray (RRV) moves cuvettes containing reaction liquid
(sample and reagent) in front of a halogen lamp, which sends light through the cuvettes.
Each time, a different wavelength is measured.
The photometer then measures the absorbance based on the lamp energy and the optical
density of the cuvettes. This process is repeated for as many times and wavelengths as
required by the assay conditions.
A cooling tank maintains the lamp temperature.
The system monitors the output energy of the halogen lamp during the cell blank check
and after each assay. The operator is alerted if the lamp performance is abnormal.
Use the Lamp Energy Monitor window to ensure that the halogen lamp is functioning
normally.
Reagents
Reagent mechanisms
The reagent probes (RPP1 and RPP2) aspirate reagent from the reagent trays (RTT1 and
RTT2) and dispense it into reaction tray (RRV) cuvettes for analysis, according to
specified conditions. Reagent pumps (RP1 and RP2) handle the aspiration and dispensing
functions.
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