1. Overview
The Shimadzu RF‑6000 is a high-performance spectrofluorophotometer designed for a wide range of fluorescence measurements, including fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, and electroluminescence. It features the LabSolutions RF software for precise control, easy data acquisition, and real-time analysis, making it suitable for both research and analytical laboratories.
Features:
- High sensitivity and wide dynamic range for low-concentration sample detection.
- High-speed 3D fluorescence measurement capabilities.
- Automatic spectral correction and quantum yield/efficiency measurements.
- User-friendly software interface with real-time status display.
2. Principle
Fluorescence spectroscopy relies on the principle that molecules absorb light at a specific wavelength (excitation) and emit light at a longer wavelength (emission).
- Excitation source: A 150 W xenon lamp illuminates the sample.
- Fluorescence emission: Molecules return to the ground state, emitting photons at longer wavelengths.
- Detection: Emission and excitation spectra are recorded using a sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT), capable of detecting weak signals over 200–900 nm.
- The LabSolutions RF software controls scanning, collects data, and performs automatic excitation/emission spectral correction, minimizing instrument error.
3. Data Interpretation
- 2D Spectrum：Emission intensity versus wavelength at a fixed excitation. Used to identify characteristic emission peaks and fluorescence intensity variations.
- 3D Spectrum (EEM)：Excitation–emission matrix scanning for complex samples. Different fluorescent components appear at distinct positions in the 3D map.
- Quantum Yield / Efficiency：Indicates the efficiency of converting absorbed energy into fluorescence. LabSolutions RF can directly calculate fluorescence quantum yield.
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N)：Critical for detecting low-concentration samples. RF‑6000 achieves high S/N (~1000 RMS, ~350 P–P) for trace analysis.
4. Example Applications
- Materials & Semiconductors: Measuring quantum efficiency of solid-state luminescent layers.
- Solution Samples: Fluorescence efficiency measurements using an integrating sphere (e.g., quinine sulfate solutions).
- Biological/Plant Research: Investigating fluorescence properties of photosynthetic proteins.
- Food & Beverage Analysis: Classifying and identifying milk samples using 3D fluorescence spectra.