Using the UV-2600i Plus and ISR-2600Plus to Perform UV-Vis-NIR Measurements on Various Types of Glass

Importance of the Topic

The management of solar radiation through specialized glass coatings is central to reducing energy consumption in buildings. Glass that selectively blocks near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths can limit heat gain and UV exposure, improving occupant comfort and safety while lowering lighting and cooling demands. Accurate spectrophotometric evaluation across UV, visible, and NIR regions is therefore vital for developing and assessing heat-mirror and UV-blocking glasses.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the UV-2600i Plus spectrophotometer combined with the ISR-2600Plus integrating sphere to measure the spectral transmittance and reflectance of different glass types. Three samples were compared: untreated transparent glass and two coated variants (glass A and glass B). The main goal was to determine their performance in UV, visible, and NIR regions and calculate average optical properties using built-in software features.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Measurements were carried out over 220–1400 nm under standardized conditions:

• Scan speed: medium
• Sampling interval: 1.0 nm
• Bandwidth: 5.0 nm

A barium sulfate white standard served for relative reflectance calibration. Transmittance and reflectance spectra were recorded for each sample. The LabSolutions UV-Vis software averaging function was configured to compute mean values in the UV (280–380 nm), visible (380–780 nm), and NIR (780–1400 nm) ranges.

Main Results and Discussion

• Transparent glass exhibited high NIR transmittance above 780 nm, whereas glasses A and B transmitted less than 50% in this region, indicating effective heat reduction.
• Within the visible range, transparent glass and glass B allowed strong light transmission; glass A showed lower visible transmittance.
• Below 380 nm, both coated samples blocked UV effectively compared to the high UV transmittance of clear glass.
• Reflectance spectra revealed that glass A had increased reflectance in the visible region, suggesting reduced interior light entry and enhanced privacy.

These findings identify glass B as optimal for limiting heat gain while maintaining daylighting, and glasses A and B both excel at UV protection.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This methodology provides:

• Comprehensive spectral profiling from UV to NIR using a single setup.
• Quantitative average values to simplify comparisons of optical performance.
• Automated data integration into evaluation tables, streamlining routine quality control.

Such capabilities support material development, product certification, and building energy modeling in industrial and research laboratories.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements may include higher-resolution detectors for deeper UV and SWIR analyses, integration with in situ environmental chambers to simulate real-world conditions, and AI-driven data analytics to predict long-term material performance. Enhanced modularity could allow rapid switching between diffuse and specular accessories for broader application.

Conclusion

The UV-2600i Plus with ISR-2600Plus and LabSolutions UV-Vis software offers a robust platform for evaluating glazing materials. By combining wide-range spectral measurements with automated averaging functions, researchers and manufacturers can efficiently assess and compare glass properties, aiding the design of energy-saving and protective optical products.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu UV-2600i Plus UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
• Shimadzu ISR-2600Plus Integrating Sphere Attachment
• LabSolutions UV-Vis Software