UV-Vis detector SPD series

opticalphotodiodefor liquids

Overview
Compact overview of Shimadzu UV-VIS and Photodiode Array (PDA) detectors for liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC). Covers models SPD-40 / SPD-40V (UV/UV‑Vis), SPD-30AM (multi-wavelength), SPD-M40 and SPD-M30A (PDA), highlighting sensitivity, linear range, temperature-controlled optics and interchangeable flow cells for applications from routine HPLC to UHPLC, semi-micro and preparative purification.

SPD-40 / SPD-40V

• UV-VIS detector with high sensitivity (noise ≤ 4.0 × 10^-6 AU) and wide linear range (up to 2.5 AU).
• SPD-40 (UV): dual-wavelength mode, 190–700 nm.
• SPD-40V (UV‑Vis): extended range 190–1000 nm.
• Fully temperature-controlled optical system and flow cell to reduce noise and baseline drift.
• Built-in cell ID stores cell data in methods and measurement files.
• D2 and W lamps fitted with usage-hour monitoring chips.
• User-replaceable flow cells for HPLC, UHPLC, semi-micro and preparative applications.

SPD-30AM (Multi Wavelength Detector)

• High-sensitivity multi-wavelength detector combining multi-wavelength analysis with the simplicity of a standard UV detector.
• Achieves noise level of 0.4 × 10^-6 AU; SR-Cell (Sensitivity and Resolution Cell) reduces peak dispersion.
• Suitable for conventional HPLC and UHPLC; optional high-sensitivity cell with 85 mm optical path for trace analyte detection.
• Temperature-controlled optics enhance baseline stability.

SPD-M40 (PDA Detector)

• Very high sensitivity (noise ≤ 4.5 × 10^-6 AU) and linearity (up to 2.5 AU) for quantitation of low-level impurities in concentrated samples.
• UV cut-off filter to prevent sample degradation under UV exposure.
• Triple thermal regulation: cell temperature, lamp and spectrometer thermally controlled to minimize baseline fluctuation.
• Built-in cell ID and a range of user-replaceable flow cells for applications from HPLC to preparative purification.
• Software features: i-PDeA II (Intelligent Peak Deconvolution Analysis) and i-DReC (Intelligent Dynamic Range Extension Calculator) for improved data quality and peak processing.

SPD-M30A (PDA Detector)

• Noise level around 4 × 10^-6 AU with low-volume SR-Cell to reduce band dispersion and improve sensitivity and resolution.
• Supports conventional LC to ultra-fast UHPLC analyses; optional 85 mm optical path high-sensitivity cell for trace components.
• Temperature-controlled optics for improved baseline stability.

Applications - Documents
Selected application notes and papers illustrating use in impurity analysis, fertilizer analysis and Nexera‑e workflows (document titles and dates available):
Impurity Analysis in Pharmaceutical Products with the Advanced Photodiode Array Detector SPD-M40 - 2019-04-05
Analysis of Nitrous Acid and Ammonium Thiocyanate in Fertilizers - 2017-01-11
Analysis of Kakkonto by Nexera-e and SPD-M30A Photodiode Array Detector (Part 2) - 2014-09-05

Technical Documents
Technical notes on baseline stability, TC-Optics and linearity improvements (examples):
Eliminating the Effects of Room Temperature Fluctuations Using the Advanced TC-Optics Function in the SPD-M40 - 2019-08-29
Improved Linearity and Quantification Using the SPD-M40 - 2019-07-18

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Model range: SPD-40, SPD-40V, SPD-30AM, SPD-M40, SPD-M30A.
• Noise levels: SPD-40/40V ≤ 4.0 × 10^-6 AU; SPD-M40 ≤ 4.5 × 10^-6 AU; SPD-M30A ≈ 4 × 10^-6 AU; SPD-30AM 0.4 × 10^-6 AU.
• Linearity: up to 2.5 AU for applicable models.
• Wavelength ranges: SPD-40: 190–700 nm (dual-wavelength); SPD-40V: 190–1000 nm.
• Optics: fully temperature-controlled optical system and flow cell; lamp and spectrometer thermal regulation on PDA models.
• Flow cells: user-replaceable cells for HPLC, UHPLC, semi-micro and preparative purification; optional high-sensitivity 85 mm cell.
• SR-Cell: reduces peak dispersion and improves resolution.
• Built-in cell ID for method/data traceability.
• Lamp monitoring: D2 and W lamps with usage-hour chips.
• Sample protection: UV cut-off filter on SPD-M40.
• Software: i-PDeA II and i-DReC for peak deconvolution and dynamic range handling.