Glossary – Key terms and definitions used in K LAB products and analytical science

  • Absorbance (Abs)
    A measure of the quantity of light absorbed by a sample at a given wavelength. Expressed in Absorbance Units (AU). Calculated as A = log(I₀/I), where I₀ is incident light intensity and I is transmitted light intensity.
  • Absorbance Accuracy
    The closeness of a measured absorbance value to the true or reference value. Typically validated using NIST-traceable reference materials such as potassium dichromate (SRM 935a) or neutral density filters (SRM 930).
  • Absorbance Precision
    The degree of repeatability in absorbance measurements under identical conditions. Expressed as standard deviation or %CV of repeated measurements.
  • Analog I/O
    Analog Input/Output interface used for signal communication between instruments and external control systems. ProTecUV supports 0–20 mA or 4–20 mA analog I/O for PLC connection.
  • ARM Cortex Processor
    A family of RISC-based processors used in embedded systems. NanoQ uses an Octa Core ARM® Cortex™-A53 processor, and POP uses an ARM Cortex-A55 processor to enable stable stand-alone operation.
  • ASTA Color Value
    American Spice Trade Association color measurement standard used to quantify the color intensity of red spices such as red pepper powder. Measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at specific wavelengths.
  • Audit Trail
    A chronological record of user activities within a software system, including login, measurement, data handling, and reporting. Required for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Supported by K LAB’s Secure software.
  • Auto Pathlength System
    A feature of NanoQ that automatically selects the optimal optical path length (0.03–1.0 mm) based on sample concentration, ensuring accurate measurements across a wide dynamic range without manual adjustment.
  • Bandwidth
    Also known as spectral bandwidth or slit width. The range of wavelengths passed by a monochromator at half the maximum intensity (FWHM). Narrower bandwidth provides higher spectral resolution. Alpha: 1.0 nm; POP: <1.8 nm; MRX: 2.9 nm.
  • Baseline Flatness
    A measure of baseline variation across the full wavelength range when measuring a blank or air reference. Low baseline flatness indicates stable optical performance. Alpha maintains <0.0005 Abs rms across 190–1100 nm.