Systems produced for researchers who demand the best results
UV/Vis & NIR spectrophotometry systems for clear, turbid, and chiral samples
Systems produced for researchers who demand the best results
UV/Vis & NIR spectrophotometry systems for clear, turbid, and chiral samples
What is OLIS
Hand-crafted, individually-produced, and supported with professional, personal attention, each OLIS product
is designed to support your most ambitious research goals efficiently, effectively, and economically.
What is OLIS
Hand-crafted, individually-produced, 00 and supported with professional, personal attention, each OLIS product is designed 00 to support your most ambitious research goals efficiently, effectively, and economically.
Founded in 1974 by Dr. Richard J. DeSa and now owned and operated by his daughter, Julie Ann DeSa Lorenz, OLIS exists for the researcher who needs more than a common-denominator instrument for advancing his research. Pinnacle-performance instruments span our millisecond-scanning dual beam UV/Vis systems (patented in 1994) to the best-in-class Vis, NIR, and IR CPL spectrometers (circa 2020, 2023, and 2025, respectively).
Designed-in upgradability for modularity and longevity.
Software (digital) over hardware (analog) for reliability and flexibility.
Every design criterion priorities the best answer.
Designed-in upgradability for modularity and longevity.
Software (digital) over hardware (analog) for reliability and flexibility.
Every design criterion priorities the best answer.
Spectrophotometers for Samples which are Clear, Turbid, and/ or Chiral
Clear Samples
Cuvette-based UV/Vis, NIR, and IR spectrometers with available sample holders for transparent solids.
Turbid Samples
Integrating cavity (not sphere) UV/Vis spectrophotometers for accurate studies on not-clear samples, e.g., aggregating proteins, living cells, particulate materials, low-concentration solutions, etc.
Chiral Samples
Chirality is ubiquitous. For ground-state, circular dichroism (CD); for excited stage, circularly polarized luminescence (CPL).
Production Samples
Beer, wine, syrup … Single wavelength visible models for color readings.
Software
Every OLIS system comes with instrument-specific data acquisition and control software.
Accessories
OLIS systems can be enhanced with OLIS and third-party accessories for temperature control, rapid mixing, titration, magnetic field alignment, thinfilm analysis, and more.
Spectrophotometers for Samples which are Clear, Turbid, and/ or Chiral
Clear Samples
Cuvette-based UV/Vis, NIR, and IR spectrometers with available sample holders for transparent solids.
Production Samples
Beer, wine, syrup … Single wavelength visible models for color readings.
Turbid Samples
Integrating cavity (not sphere) UV/Vis spectrophotometers for accurate studies on not-clear samples, e.g., aggregating proteins, living cells, particulate materials, low-concentration solutions, etc.
Software
Every OLIS system comes with instrument-specific data acquisition and control software.
Chiral Samples
Chirality is ubiquitous. For ground-state, circular dichroism (CD); for excited stage, circularly polarized luminescence (CPL).
Accessories
OLIS systems can be enhanced with OLIS and third-party accessories for temperature control, rapid mixing, titration, magnetic field alignment, thinfilm analysis, and more.
OLIS Products
Publications using OLIS instruments
CPL
Materials science, lanthanides, and more in peer-reviewed publications
Pyrene-Containing ortho-Oligo(phenylene)ethynylene Foldamer as Ratiometric Probe Based on Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Minh H. Nguyen, Masashi Imanishi, Taichi Kurogi, Xuemei Wan, Jane E. Ishmael, Kerry L. McPhail, and Amos B. Smith III
The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2018, 83, 8, 4287-4306
Enantiopure distorted ribbon-shaped nanographene combining twophoton absorption-based upconversion and circularly polarized luminescence
Carlos M. Cruz, Irene R. Márquez, Inês F. A. Mariz, Victor Blanco, Carlos SánchezSánchez, Jesús M. Sobrado, José A. Martín-Gago, Juan M. Cuerva, Ermelinda Maçôas, and Araceli G. Campaña
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 3917-3924
Undecabenzo[7]superhelicene: A Helical Nanographene Ribbon as a Circularly Polarized Luminescence Emitter
Carlos M. Cruz, Dr. Silvia Castro Fernández, Dr. Ermelinda Maçôas, Prof. Juan M. Cuerva, Dr. Araceli G. Campaña
Volume57, Issue45, November 5, 2018, Pages 14782-14786
CLARiTY:
Whole cell studies, nanomaterials, and more in peer-reviewed publications
Use of an integrating cavity spectrometer to easily determine beer SRM color without filtration, centrifugation or numerical correction
Scott C. Bailey-Hartsel, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Title of upcoming 2023 publication
Obtaining absorbance spectra from turbid retinal cell and tissue suspensions Beating the light-scatter problem
Federico Gonzalez-Fernandez, M.D. , Ph.D., VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Title of accepted publication in 2023 Experimental Eye Research
Transition-Metal Isocorroles as Singlet Oxygen Sensitizers
Simon Larsen, Joseph A. Adewuyi, Gaël Ung , and Abhik Ghosh
norg. Chem. 2023, 62, 19, 7483 7490 Publication Date:May 4, 2023
Publications using OLIS Instruments
CPL
CLARiTY:
Whole cell studies, nanomaterials, and more in peer-reviewed publications
Use of an integrating cavity spectrometer to easily determine beer SRM color without filtration, centrifugation or numerical correction
Scott C. Bailey-Hartsel, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Title of upcoming 2023 publication
Obtaining absorbance spectra from turbid retinal cell and tissue suspensions Beating the light-scatter problem
Federico Gonzalez-Fernandez, M.D. , Ph.D., VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Title of accepted publication in 2023 Experimental Eye Research
Transition-Metal Isocorroles as Singlet Oxygen Sensitizers
Simon Larsen, Joseph A. Adewuyi, Gaël Ung* , and Abhik Ghosh*
norg. Chem. 2023, 62, 19, 7483–7490 Publication Date:May 4, 2023
Materials science, lanthanides, and more in peer-reviewed publications
Pyrene-Containing ortho-Oligo(phenylene)ethynylene Foldamer as Ratiometric Probe Based on Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Minh H. Nguyen, Masashi Imanishi, Taichi Kurogi, Xuemei Wan, Jane E. Ishmael, Kerry L. McPhail, and Amos B. Smith III
The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2018, 83, 8, 4287-4306
Enantiopure distorted ribbon-shaped nanographene combining twophoton absorption-based upconversion and circularly polarized luminescence
Carlos M. Cruz, Irene R. Márquez, Inês F. A. Mariz, Victor Blanco, Carlos SánchezSánchez, Jesús M. Sobrado, José A. Martín-Gago, Juan M. Cuerva, Ermelinda Maçôas, and Araceli G. Campaña
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 3917-3924
Undecabenzo[7]superhelicene: A Helical Nanographene Ribbon as a Circularly Polarized Luminescence Emitter
Carlos M. Cruz, Dr. Silvia Castro Fernández, Dr. Ermelinda Maçôas, Prof. Juan M. Cuerva, Dr. Araceli G. Campaña
Volume57, Issue45, November 5, 2018, Pages 14782-14786
Our Story
For our first twenty years in business (1974 1994), you would have come to OLIS computerize your best spectrophotometers. Laboratories large and small continue to choose to modernize their trusted HP 8453, Cary 14, Cary 17, Aminco DW 2/000, and PerkinElmer 983 spectrometers with us.
Since 1994, we have hand-crafted hundreds of all-new Olis products which will likewise stand the test of time for optical excellence
Circularly Polarized Luminescence
For researchers interested in circularly polarized luminescence, the OLIS CPL Solo the only commercial small and affordable model available. Models for UV/Vis, Vis/NIR, NIR, and IR are available. The world s best CPL systems, used worldwide.
Phosphorescence lifetime
Phosphorescence lifetime measurements at rates to 4000 decays per second to arbitrarily slow to assess whether the emission is fluorescence or phosphorescence. Add to your CPL or purchase as a free-standing system.
CLARiTY UV/Vis
Scatter does not matter when you have CLARiTY. Make accurate AU/cm readings on all light absorbing samples. You choose the level of turbidity, not the spectrophotometer.
Reflectance, Diffuse & Specular
Diffuse and specular reflectance can be added to many OLIS spectrophotometers.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence models are available for exceptional sensitivity and precision, enabling the accurate measurement of fluorescence emission and spectra to study the behavior of fluorophores and probing their interactions with other molecules.
Upcycled Spectrophotometry Systems
Reducing waste in science drives our product excellence, reliability, and modularity. It is also why all OLIS products have designed-in upgradability. Recall, too, that our first 20 years was only upcycling the still outstanding HP, Cary, and PerkinElmer models; all OLIS instruments can be upcycled, too. OLIS instruments have double, triple, and longer lifespans than any other commercial choices, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of scientific research with zero compromise to performance.
Circular Dichroism UV/ Vis and NIR
Ground state chirality studies from 170 2600 nm. Choose among UV or NIR optimized models. All use an entirely digital data acquisition method which can only result in the correct answer.
NIR Spectroscopy
NIR studies are becoming increasingly important in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food science, and environmental analysis. Absorbance, fluorescence, CD, and CPL spectrometers support the analysis of complex samples and the identification and quantification of various compounds.
Anisotropy
Anisotropy measurements, which are useful for understanding the orientation and mobility of molecules, is available on all CPL and properly enhanced fluorescence systems.
Modularity
Easy rearrangement of components makes many OLIS instruments the most modular on the market, both for our ease in producing exactly what you need and your ease in customizing it on your end. Why buy multiple instruments if one can be configured for multiple measurements?
For researchers interested in circularly polarized luminescence, the OLIS CPL Solo the only commercial small and affordable model available. Models for UV/Vis, Vis/NIR, NIR, and IR are available. The world s best CPL systems, used worldwide.
Our Story
For our first twenty years in business (1974 - 1994), you would have come to OLIS to computerize your best spectrophotometers. Laboratories large and small continue to choose to modernize their trusted HP 8453, Cary 14, Cary 17, Aminco DW 2/000, and PerkinElmer 983 spectrometers with us.
Since 1994, we have hand-crafted hundreds of all-new Olis products, which will likewise stand the test of time for optical excellence.
Circularly Polarized Luminescence
For researchers interested in circularly polarized luminescence, the OLIS CPL Solo the only commercial small and affordable model available. Models for UV/Vis, Vis/NIR, NIR, and IR are available. The world s best CPL systems, used worldwide.
CLARiTY UV/Vis
Scatter does not matter when you have CLARiTY. Make accurate AU/cm readings on all light absorbing samples. You choose the level of turbidity, not the spectrophotometer.
Reflectance, Diffuse & Specular
Diffuse and specular reflectance can be added to many OLIS spectrophotometers.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence models are available for exceptional sensitivity and precision, enabling the accurate measurement of fluorescence emission and spectra to study the behavior of fluorophores and probing their interactions with other molecules.
Upcycled Spectrophotometry Systems
Reducing waste in science drives our product excellence, reliability, and modularity. It is also why all OLIS products have designed-in upgradability. Recall, too, that our first 20 years was only upcycling the still outstanding HP, Cary, and PerkinElmer models; all OLIS instruments can be upcycled, too. OLIS instruments have double, triple, and longer lifespans than any other commercial choices, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of scientific research with zero compromise to performance.
Phosphorescence Lifetime
Phosphorescence lifetime measurements at rates to 4000 decays per second to arbitrarily slow to assess whether the emission is fluorescence or phosphorescence. Add to your CPL or purchase as a free-standing system.
Circular Dichroism UV/ Vis and NIR
Ground state chirality studies from 170 2600 nm. Choose among UV or NIR optimized models. All use an entirely digital data acquisition method which can only result in the correct answer.
NIR Spectroscopy
NIR studies are becoming increasingly important in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food science, and environmental analysis. Absorbance, fluorescence, CD, and CPL spectrometers support the analysis of complex samples and the identification and quantification of various compounds.
Anisotropy
Anisotropy measurements, which are useful for understanding the orientation and mobility of molecules, is available on all CPL and properly enhanced fluorescence systems.
Modularity
Easy rearrangement of components makes many OLIS instruments the most modular on the market, both for our ease in producing exactly what you need and your ease in customizing it on your end. Why buy multiple instruments if one can be configured for multiple measurements?
For researchers interested in circularly polarized luminescence, the OLIS CPL Solo the only commercial small and affordable model available. Models for UV/Vis, Vis/NIR, NIR, and IR are available. The world s best CPL systems, used worldwide.
Get support for your
OLIS instruments
Technical Issues:
Contact techsupport@olisweb.com
Video Library:
Demonstrations of hardware and software
Get Support for your
OLIS Instruments
Technical Issues:
Contact techsupport@olisweb.com
Video Library:
Demonstrations of hardware and software
FAQ
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Every model except the CLARiTY line uses standard 1 cm² cuvettes quartz for UV and glass or quartz for Vis and NIR. Shorter pathlength cuvettes can be accommodated in all models, with 1 or 2 mm pathlengths commonly used for optimal UV in CD models. If you need a longer pathlength cuvette, inquire about an appropriate sample holder.
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Yes. Unlike standard cuvette spectrometers, CLARiTY uses an integrating cavity (not an integrating sphere) to accurately measure absorbance in turbid samples. This method was first developed for ocean water analysis and is now applied to biological and material science research.
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The best detector for the application.
Analog photomultiplier tube (PMT): Best for UV/Vis absorbance and CD.
Digital photon-counting PMT: Best for UV/Vis and NIR fluorescence and circularly polarized luminescence.
InGaAs and PbS: Used for fast and slow NIR applications, respectively.
Photodiode arrays and CCDs: Used for lower-cost UV/Vis equipment, offering rapid spectral data acquisition and solid-state design.
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Yes! OLIS systems are designed for longevity and future upgrades. Nearly all OLIS products have an optical base, an electronics assembly, and computer hardware/software. We recommend upgrading aging electronics and software with modern alternatives, often at half the cost of replacing the entire system.
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Yes! The original Agilent/HP 8453 is a prime example. This solid-state instrument remains functional and can often be repaired at a fraction of the replacement cost. Replacing outdated ChemStation software with Win 10/11 OlisWorks modernizes it without downsides. Other non-OLIS instruments, including the Cary 14, Cary 17, PE 983, and Aminco DW-2, can be computerized after electromechanical modernization. (See OLIS DSM 172, OLIS CLARiTY 17, and similar models for examples of upgraded classic optical systems.)
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Many can. Those that do not are intentionally designed for a single function to reduce cost.
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If CPL is your only requirement, the CPL Solo is the best commercial option. If you also need CD, the OLIS DSM 172 or OLIS DSM 245 are ideal choices. These larger models combine a CPL Solo with additional hardware and software for CD measurements. There is no superior CPL system on the market than the small and affordable CPL Solo.
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Yes, with the appropriate accessories, our spectrophotometers support flow cells.
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A spectrometer measures light intensity, while a spectrophotometer measures absorbance and transmission. All OLIS spectrophotometers also function as spectrometers, but for luminescence-based techniques like CPL and phosphorescence lifetime, we use the term 'spectrometer'.
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Many OLIS models support full-spectrum analysis from deep UV to NIR. However, not all users require full-range coverage, so we offer models with narrower spectral ranges to meet specific needs.
CLARiTY F.A.Q.s
Are the results from a cuvette and the CLARiTY integrating cavity the same?
Yes, if there is zero scatter from the sample, both methods return the same results.
No, if the sample scatters light, CLARiTY returns the correct absorbance, while a cuvette system returns extinction.
I don’t want to dilute my sample. What’s the alternative?
Reduce the pathlength, as you would with a traditional cuvette spectrophotometer. CLARiTY instruments can be fitted with integrating cavities of various volumes, from the standard 8 mL to a few microliters. Shorter pathlengths require more concentrated samples.
What is the dynamic range for measuring absorbance?
Approximately 10⁻⁴ AU/cm with the 8 mL integrating cavity and 100 AU/cm with the 0.08 mL flow-through integrating cavity.
Should I use the filled DSPC, a test tube, or a flow-through cell with CLARiTY?
Filled DSPC (8 mL cavity): Provides the longest pathlength for the highest sensitivity. Test Tubes: Suitable for shorter pathlengths and handling toxic or difficult-to-clean samples. Flow-Through DSPC: Used for highly absorbing samples (e.g., wine, milk) and continuous process monitoring with a pump.
How do I clean CLARiTY’s integrating cavity between measurements?
Filled DSPC: Pipette out the sample, rinse with water/solvent, then rinse with fresh solvent. Test Tubes: Pour out the sample, rinse with water/solvent, clean as needed, and store inverted. Flow-Through DSPC: Flush with water or solvent, clean as needed, and finish with a final rinse