Spectrophotometer Calibration Workshop
Training course
This course covers the calibration of benchtop spectrophotometers, including wavelength accuracy, photometric accuracy and stray light characterisation. It is highly interactive and includes hands-on sessions to develop practical skills.
Overview
The spectrophotometer has become the workhorse for high-throughout routine testing for a wide variety of analytes in chemical and biochemical analysis laboratories. While the reliability of these instruments is high, routine calibration and characterisation of spectrophotometers is vital for ongoing confidence and reduction of risk in decisions made on the basis of results of measurements.
The course provides a mix of principle and practice with guidelines for designing calibrations and measurements, including lists of things that go wrong, and the tips and tricks for recognising problems. The emphasis is on ensuring that you can apply the knowledge in your own workplace.
Note: This workshop will only proceed with sufficient numbers. If we need to cancel, you will be notified three weeks before the start date.
Early registration discount:
$796 per attendee (first two), then $557 each additional.
Standard fees from 16 May 2026:
$885 per attendee (first two), then $619 each additional.
Presenters
Neil Swift
Quality Manager / Principal Research Scientist | Light
Neil has been working within the Photometry and Radiometry section at the Measurement Standards Laboratory since 2006. Most of that time he has spent in photometry, including designing and building photometers, managing a national UV monitoring network and carrying out calibrations. More recently he has been developing his skills in spectrophotometry, upgrading and commissioning a new monochromator and becoming familiar with our goniospectrophotometry facility.
Highlights for Neil include a variety of work: developing new calibration methods to maintain the photometric scale, for the measurement of flatness and for unusual commercial work; participating in international comparisons; developing data handling processes for the UV network.
Neil was involved in the update of the documentary standards AS/NZS 4399:2017 – Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification and AS 4174 – 2018 Synthetic Shadecloth.
Outline
The Course is Suitable For:
Any personnel who use or check spectrophotometers as a part of laboratory testing, plant installation, or monitoring and maintenance tasks. Staff involved in laboratory accreditation and QA programmes will find it especially useful.
General Programme and Learning Outcomes:
The course focuses on the calibration of benchtop spectrophotometers. Topics include:
- Use and handling of neutral density filters
- Use and handling of wavelength calibration filters
- Wavelength and photometric accuracy calibration of spectrophotometers
- Stray light characterisation of spectrophotometers
- Uncertainty of measurement
- Traceability and quality control
Course Qualification:
Students will receive a course attendance certificate.
Date and Venue
7 August 2026
Lower Hutt
Callaghan Innovation
Alan MacDiarmid Centre
69 Gracefield Road, Gracefield
Lower Hutt 5010
0800 422 552
- Free Parking
- Report to Reception
- Approximately 45 minutes drive from Wellington Airport and 30 minutes from Wellington CBD
Course Times
- 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Welcome tea and coffee
- 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
This course commences at 9:00 am sharp and is expected to end by 2:00 pm.
Catering
Catering includes Morning Tea and Lunch. Please indicate dietary requirements on the registration form.