Thermo Scientific Evolution 300 User manual

Evolution™ 300 and Evolution 600
User Guide

The information in this publication is provided for reference only. All information
contained in this publication is believed to be correct and complete. Thermo Fisher
Scientific shall not be liable for errors contained herein nor for incidental or consequential
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269-165900, Rev. B

Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................1
Conventions used in this manual .............................................................. 2
Questions or concerns............................................................................... 3
Spectrophotometer Basics ....................................................................4
Spectrophotometer components................................................................ 4
Connectors ............................................................................................ 5
Accessories............................................................................................8
Manual accessories .................................................................................... 8
Installation............................................................................................. 9
Standard rectangular cell holder ........................................................... 10
Adjustable micro cell holder.................................................................10
Long pathlength rectangular cell holder ............................................... 12
Cylindrical cell holder.......................................................................... 13
Thermostatted single cell holder .......................................................... 13
Test tube/vial holder ............................................................................ 15
Rectangular cell holder......................................................................... 15
Fiber optic sampling accessory ............................................................. 16
DRA-EV-600 Diffuse Reflectance accessory ........................................18
Solid Sample Holder............................................................................ 19
Smart Accessories .................................................................................... 20
System accessories ................................................................................... 21
Installing Smart Accessories..................................................................... 22
Using the Instrument .........................................................................25
Local Control.......................................................................................... 25
Main Menu page .................................................................................27
Text entry ............................................................................................ 37
Editing numeric fields..........................................................................38
Pop-up menus...................................................................................... 39
File operation....................................................................................... 39
Scan application................................................................................... 41
Fixed application.................................................................................. 45
Quantitation application...................................................................... 48
Kinetics application.............................................................................. 50
Multicomponent application ............................................................... 54
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide i

ii Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific
Biological tests .....................................................................................56
Using UVcalc .......................................................................................68
Instrument verification tests .................................................................71
VISIONsecurity and VISIONpro.............................................................74
Maintenance.......................................................................................75
Routine maintenance ..............................................................................75
Cleaning instrument exterior...................................................................75
Internal printer........................................................................................76
Light sources (Evolution 600 only) .........................................................78
Deuterium lamp ..................................................................................80
Tungsten-halogen lamp .......................................................................81
Mercury lamp (Evolution 300 and Evolution 600) ..............................82

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of an Evolution™ 300 or Evolution 600
spectrophotometer! Our spectrophotometers integrate advanced hardware
features with the power and flexibility of a wide range of Smart
Accessories™.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 1

Conventions used in this manual
This manual includes safety precautions and other important information
presented in the following format:
Note Notes contain helpful supplementary information. 
Notice Follow instructions labeled “Notice” to avoid damaging the system
hardware or losing data. 
Caution Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury. 
Warning Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury. 
Danger Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury. 
2 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

The following safety symbols are used on this product:
Symbol Description Indication
Black graphical
symbol inside a
yellow triangle with a
black triangular band
This is a warning symbol. The graphic in
this symbol is used to alert the user to
potential hazards.
Black graphical
symbol inside a red
circular band with a
red diagonal bar
This is a prohibition symbol. The graphic in
this symbol is used to alert the user to
actions that shall not be taken or shall be
stopped.
White graphical
symbol inside a blue
circle
This is a mandatory action symbol. It is
used to indicate that an action shall be
taken to avoid a hazard.
Black graphical
symbol inside a
yellow triangle with a
black triangular band
This is the general warning sign. Failure to
heed the safety precautions could result
in personal injury.
White graphical
symbol inside a blue
circle
This is the general data loss or property
damage symbol and is not related to
personal injury. Failure to heed these
precautions can result in irreparable
damage to property or permanent data
loss.
Questions or concerns
In case of emergency, follow the procedures established by your facility. If
you have questions or concerns about safety or need assistance with
operation, repairs or replacement parts, you can contact our sales or service
representative in your area or use the information at the beginning of this
document to contact us.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 3

Spectrophotometer Basics
This chapter describes the major components of your spectrophotometer.
Spectrophotometer components
The following illustration identifies some major components visible on the
outside of a typical Evolution spectrophotometer. (Some components may
not be present on your spectrophotometer.)
Contrast
Keypad
LCD screen
Zero
Run
789
456
123
0
.-
Optional printer
Floppy di
sk
drive
Sliding door
Sample
compartment
P
ort for optional
power supply
4 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Connectors
The following illustrations show the locations of the connectors on each
side of the spectrophotometer.
Right side
Zero
Run
789
456
123
0
.-
PRINTER KEY BD EXT ACCY RS232 DISPLAY
EXT
Connector Function
Printer Use to connect a printer with a parallel interface.
Key Bd Use to connect an English keyboard (this is supplied by
us to meet electrical emission requirements).
Ext Use to connect an external TTL (or contact closure)
trigger.
Accy Use to connect an external accessory.
RS232 Use to connect a computer with an RS232 interface.
Ext Display Use to connect to a computer monitor.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 5

Left side
Port for optional
Peltier power supply
Power ON/OFF switch
Power supply
connection
Power cord
Zero
Run
789
456
123
0
.-
Danger Avoid shock hazard. Always power off the spectrophotometer and
disconnect the power supply from the wall outlet or power strip before
disconnecting the power supply from the spectrophotometer. 
Inside sample compartment
The following illustrations show the locations of the connectors inside the
sample compartment.
Evolution 300
Reference
connector
Sample
connector
6 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Evolution 600
Sample
connect
or
Accessory/detecto
r
connector
Accessory/detector
connector
Reference
connector
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 7

Accessories
This chapter briefly describes the types of sampling and system accessories
that are available for your spectrophotometer. Complete descriptions and
operating instructions are included with the accessories.
Manual accessories
The Evolution 300 and the Evolution 600 are supplied with two standard
rectangular cell holders. All manual accessories are installed and removed as
follows:
Manual accessories are mounted on a common baseplate. This system
ensures correct alignment of the accessory within the instrument
automatically.
These accessories may be installed or removed without the need to switch
off the instrument and may be installed in the sample (front) position
and/or the reference (rear) position.
The accessory is positioned by two pins, A and B, at either side of the
sample compartment, and a spring loaded toggle towards the front of the
instrument.
8 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Installation
Reference position
cell holder
Sample position
cell holder
Spring loaded
toggle
Finger hole
Pin B
Pin A
Pin B
Pin A
1. Open the main lid of the sample compartment and remove any
accessory that may be present in the sample (front) position.
2. Position the accessory so that the holes towards the rear are aligned
over pins A and B in the instrument.
When properly aligned, gently push the front end of the accessory
downward until plate snaps into place under the toggle.
This positive location system ensures that the accessory is correctly
aligned in the corresponding optical beam.
For removal of the accessory:
•Grip the accessory through the finger hole in the accessory and pull
it upwards.
•For accessories with no finger hole, grip the accessory using the
handles.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 9

Standard rectangular cell holder
The instrument is supplied with two single cell holders (z = 8.5 mm),
which may be installed in the sample and reference positions.
Adjustable micro cell holder
This accessory is recommended for use with small aperture cells. The
adjustment permits precise positioning of the cell in the beam.
1. Install the accessory into the instrument as described above.
2. Access the white light function in the operating software.
Local Control– From the Main Menu page, select Utilities, then press
the White Light function key on the Utilities page.
VISION – Select Command > White Light.
10 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

The instrument will align the monochromator so that the zero order
diffraction of the lamp(s) (white light) passes through the sample
compartment. This provides a beam of white light, which can be seen
when a business card or similar target is placed in the light path.
3. Place the cuvette in the cell holder and loosen the securing screw A
by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Use adjustment screw B to align the cuvette so that the light beam
falls on the cell aperture.
Note Turning adjustment screw B clockwise moves the cell holder towards the
front. Turning it counterclockwise moves the cell holder towards the
rear. 
When the cell holder is aligned properly, the white light will not be
seen on the edges of the cell holder.
5. Tighten securing screw A to secure the cell holder position.
When you have finished aligning the accessory in the beam, exit White
Light mode by pressing White Light Off. This returns the
monochromator to its normal position ready to continue taking
measurements.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 11

Securing screw A
Adjustme
nt
screw B
Long pathlength rectangular cell holder
This accessory is designed to accommodate rectangular cells with
pathlengths ranging from 1 to 100 mm.
The capacity of the cell holder is adjusted by turning the knob on the
front, which alters the space between the gripping blocks.
Turn the knob until the space is longer than the pathlength required, insert
the cell and reduce the space until the cell is held securely.
Notice Do not overtighten. 
12 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Cylindrical cell holder
This accessory is designed to accommodate cylindrical cells with 22 mm
external diameter and a pathlength of up to 50 mm.
Push the cylindrical cell downwards into the cell holder so that it is secured
in the required position by the spring clip and is in contact with the
retaining ledge.
Thermostatted single cell holder
This accessory is designed to accommodate square cells with 8.8 mm
z-dimension and 10 mm pathlength, and to operate at temperatures of 4 to
80°C (39 to 176°F).
Temperature control is achieved by means of an external temperature
controlled circulator bath. Refer to the Parts List supplied on CD with
your instrument for details of available circulators.
A tubing kit for Evolution thermostatted accessories is available for use
with the recirculator, which includes the necessary connection kit for the
circulator.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 13

The sample compartment front panel has two slits through which the
tubing can be routed. The slits are located to the left and right of the
center, and open downwards. Foam baffles fit around the tubing to exclude
light from the sample compartment.
Slits on bottom of panel
Position the in and out tubes either so that they will both pass through one
port, or so that they pass on either side. Replace the sample compartment
front panel, ensuring that the tubes are correctly located in the slit(s) and
are not being pinched between the front panel and the body of the
instrument. Ensure that the tubes do not obstruct the light beam. If
necessary, secure the tubes using the self adhesive tubing clips supplied.
14 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific

Test tube/vial holder
This accessory is designed for use with test tubes or vials from 10 to 21 mm
diameter and 40 to 100 mm high.
Note Exceeding the recommended diameter may cause the retaining bar to clip
the light beam. 
Rectangular cell holder
This cell holder allows the use of 15 mm beam height filters and flow cells
in the instrument.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide 15

Fiber optic sampling accessory
This accessory enables samples to be measured outside of the sample
compartment.
16 Evolution 300 and Evolution 600 User Guide Thermo Fisher Scientific