•First, measure the baseline using a blank sample. This is
raw I0. The blank sample is the cuvette with deionized water
(everything but your nanoparticles). This corrects for any absorption due to the
cuvette, water, and variations
of the light intensity of the light source, monochromator, etc.
•Second, measure the zero
by inserting the beam block. This corrects the instrument for the detector background.
•Third, measure your sample. This is the raw I. The Cary 50 automatically calculates the corrected intensities (I and I0) by subtracting the zero from each of the raw
intensities.
•Subsequent measurements do not require re-measuring the blank and zero, simply
repeat step 3.