Empty Glass Cells


  • 50 mm, 100 mm, or 500 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Glass Cells for Spectroscopy
  • Ø12.7 mm, Ø25 mm, or Ø50 mm Flat Windows
  • Available with One or Two Fill Tubes
  • Custom Solutions Available

GC252

Two Fill Tubes, Ø25 mm Windows

Application Idea

The KF25C050 Ø1/2" compression fitting provides compatibility with KF25-flanged vacuum systems.

GC251L

One Fill Tube,
Ø25 mm Windows

GCV501

One Fill Tube with
J. Young® Valve,
Ø50 mm Windows

Borosilicate Cell

KF25C050 KF25 Flange to Compression Fitting Adapter

KF25WNC Wing Nut Clamp, KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring Inside

Related Items


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Inside Thorlabs: Scientific Glassblowing
J. Young<sup>®</sup> Valve
Click to Enlarge

The GCV251 and GCV501 Empty Glass Cells feature a J. Young ® Valve that can be closed to maintain a high-vacuum seal.
Glass Cell Mounted in V-Clamp
Click to Enlarge

These empty glass cells can also be mounted in our VC3C(/M) V-Clamp.
Glass Spectroscopy Cell with Heater
Click to Enlarge
View Imperial Product List
Item #QtyDescription
GC2511Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
VC3C1Large V-Clamp with PM4 Clamping Arm, 2.5" Long, Imperial
PM41Large Adjustable Clamping Arm, 6-32 Threaded Post
GCH25R2Cap Heater for Ø25 mm Glass Cells, 10 W
View Metric Product List
Item #QtyDescription
GC2511Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
VC3C/M1Large V-Clamp with PM4/M Clamping Arm, 63.5 mm Long, Metric
PM4/M1Large Adjustable Clamping Arm, M4 x 0.7 Threaded Post
GCH25R2Cap Heater for Ø25 mm Glass Cells, 10 W
GC251 Glass Cell Shown
with Two GCH25R Heater Caps
Ø25 mm Glass Cell in Heater Assembly
Click to Enlarge

View Product List
Item #QtyDescription
GC2511Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
GCH25-751Heater Assembly for Ø9, Ø19, or Ø25 mm x 75 mm Glass Cells, 15 W per Heating Element
ER4-P41Cage Assembly Rod, 4" Long, Ø6 mm, 4 Pack
Our Ø25 mm glass cells can be mounted in our GCH25-75 Heater using four ER4 cage rods.

Features

  • Empty Glass Cells for Spectroscopy Applications
  • 50 mm Long Glass Cell:
    • Both Ends Include Ø12.7 mm Windows
    • Available with One Tube for Filling
  • 100 mm Long Glass Cells:
    • Both Ends Include Ø12.7 mm, Ø25 mm, or Ø50 mm Windows
    • Available with One Tube for Filling or Two Tubes for Flow
    • Single Fill Tube Cells Also Available with Genuine J. Young®* Valve for Sealing
  • 500 mm Long Glass Cell:
    • Both Ends Include Ø25 mm Windows
    • Available with One Tube for Filling
  • Borosilicate Substrate for Cell and Windows
  • High Transmission from 350 to 2200 nm
  • Custom Design and Manufacturing Services Available (Contact Tech Support)
  • Ø12.7 mm and Ø25 mm Cells are Compatible with a Variety of Heaters
  • Glass Cells Also Available with GL-32 Threading for Interchangeable Windows

These empty borosilicate glass cells can be filled with vapors of specific atomic elements or molecular compounds, each of which has a well-defined absorption spectrum. Cells are available with either one or two fill tubes. A single fill tube is useful when sealing a cell while two fill tubes can be used to maintain constant gas flow. We also offer empty cells with a single fill tube and a J. Young® Valve to seal the cell with a high-vacuum, greaseless stopcock (see the image to the upper right). Fill tubes with a 0.25" outer diameter are compatible with Ø1/4" compression fittings, and fill tubes with a 0.5" outer diameter are compatible with Ø1/2" compression fittings, as shown on the Vacuum Seal tab. As shown in the video to the right, custom reference cells can be manufactured upon request, including different cell lengths, cell diameters, or fill tube configurations. Please contact Tech Support with inquiries.

Each cell is made from borosilicate glass, a rugged material known to resist chipping and cracking, and has high transmission from 350 nm to 2200 nm. The ends of each cell include Ø12.7 mm, Ø25 mm, or Ø50 mm fused windows. We also offer a variety of other empty cells for various spectroscopic applications as shown in the selection guide below. All glass cells on this page can hold a vacuum below 10-7 Torr and withstand pressures up to 5 psi. The post-production cleaning process for these cells consists of an ultrasonic cleaning followed by a methanol rinse. The cell is then connected to a vacuum system and leak tested. The cells are not vacuum sealed when shipped; before using the cell in a vacuum setup, we advise users to follow a similar cleaning process for each cell.

These cells are commonly used in absorption spectroscopy; refer to the Application tab for a general overview of use with absorption spectroscopy. We also offer compact and Herriott multipass cells for gas absorption spectroscopy applications, as well as filled and sealed vapor and acetylene reference cells .

Mounting & Heating Options
The glass cells can be mounted in our V-Clamp Mounts, which are available in standard, kinematic, or Ø1.5" post-compatible versions. Please check that the cell diameter is supported by the mount. A pair of VBC1(/M) Post-Mountable Band Clamps can be used to mount a GC251L cell without marring. Our HT10K and TLK-H Resistive Foil Heaters can attach to the outside of glass cells with fused Ø12.7 mm or Ø25 mm windows via adhesive backing. Cells with fused Ø25 mm windows can be mounted in our GCH25-75 Glass Cell Heater as illustrated in the photo to the lower right. This requires swapping out the included Ø6 mm cage rods with four ER4 4" long cage rods. We also offer the GCH25R Cap Heater for cells with fused Ø25 mm windows. This heater attaches directly to the end of a cell.

*J. Young® is a registered trademark of GPE Scientific.

Absorption Spectroscopy

The reference substance pumped into the glass cell is associated with a unique absorption spectrum that serves as its fingerprint. The contents of a reference cell can be determined via a linear absorption measurement (as depicted by the simplified schematic below). By scanning a tunable diode laser over a wavelength range and detecting light absorption with a photodetector, a series of peaks will be recorded, which is characteristic of the vapor inside the cell. Please note that we also offer pre-filled and sealed acetylene reference cells, as well as vapor reference cells with quartz or borosilicate substrates.

Reference Cell Setup
KF25CAdapterISO
Click for Details

Disassembled view of a KF25
flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.

Creating a Vacuum Seal with a KF Flange

Thorlabs' empty borosilicate cells can be used with our KF16 and KF25 Flanged Components and Accessories in order to manage gas flow in and out of the cell. Glass cells terminated with a Ø0.25" (Ø6.35 mm) fill tube can be inserted into a KF16C025 or KF25C025 Flange-to-Compression-Fitting Adapter, while glass cells terminated with one or two Ø0.50" (Ø12.7 mm) fill tubes can be inserted into a KF16C050 or KF25C050 flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.

To input the glass cell into a KF16 or KF25 vacuum system, follow the instructions below.

  1. Select a KF16 or KF25 flange-to-compression-fitting adapter that is compatible with the fill tube diameter of the glass cell.
  2. Coat a cleaned and inspected KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring in vacuum grease and place it on a base post or pipe.
  3. Place the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter on top of the KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring and secure them with the KF16WNC or KF25WNC Wing Nut Clamp.
  4. Loosen and remove the knurled locking knob, O-ring, and seal ring of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter so its mating surface can be inspected and the included O-ring can be coated in vacuum grease. This will create a vacuum seal when the cell is inserted into the system.
  5. Slide the open end of the glass cell tube through the top (side with the Thorlabs engraving) of the knurled locking knob, seal ring (with the counterbore seat for the O-ring facing the adapter body), and O-ring (in that order) of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.
  6. Slide the glass tube into the flange adapter body and then slide the O-ring, seal ring, and knurled locking knob down the tube onto the flange adapter body. Tighten the knurled locking knob by hand.

It is not recommended to insert the glass tube into a fully assembled KF flange-to-compression-fitting adapter. The sharp edges of the glass tube may damage the O-ring, thus causing the seal to fail. 


Posted Comments:
Rohan Glover  (posted 2020-11-30 02:36:36.073)
Hi, What type of borosilicate glass are these cells made from? Thanks.
llamb  (posted 2020-12-16 04:13:37.0)
Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We use Simax borosilicate glass for these empty glass cells.
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Empty Glass Cells, One Fill Tube

Specifications
Item # GC051 GC051L GC251 GC251L GC501
Fill Tubes One
Valve Type N/A
Window Size Ø12.7 ± 0.5 mm Ø25.0 ± 0.5 mm Ø50.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Clear Aperture Ø8 ± 1 mm Ø21.0 mm Ø36.0 mm
Window Thickness 1.75 ± 0.2 mm 3.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Perpendicularity ±1°
Cell Length 50.0 mm 100.0 mm 100.0 mm 500.0 mm 100.0 mm
Cell Length Tolerance ±3.0 mm ±3.0 mm ±3.0 mm ±3.0 mm ±3.0 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.25" (6.35 mm) 0.50" (12.7 mm)
Window & Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Borosilicate Transmission
(Click for Plot)
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Single Fill Tube
  • Fused Borosilicate Windows
    • Ø12.7 mm Windows: 50 mm
      or 100 mm Long Cells
    • Ø25 mm Windows: 100 mm
      or 500 mm Long Cells
    • Ø50 mm Windows: 100 mm Long Cells
  • Ideal for Sample Isolation

Glass cells with a single fill tube are useful when introducing a sample into the cell and sealing it off for measurements. These cells do not come with integrated valves and can only isolate a sample by adding a valve at another point in the system.

We offer Ø12.7 mm glass cells with Ø8.0 mm clear apertures, Ø25 mm glass cells with Ø21.0 mm clear apertures and Ø50 mm glass cells with Ø36.0 mm clear apertures. The Ø12.7 mm glass are compatible with Our HT10K and TLK-H Resistive Foil Heaters, while our Ø25 mm glass cells are compatible with our entire selection of heaters for glass cells. All of our glass cells are made from borosilicate glass.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
GC051 Support Documentation
GC051Empty Glass Cell with Ø12.7 mm Fused Windows, 50 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$234.60
Today
GC051L Support Documentation
GC051LEmpty Glass Cell with Ø12.7 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$234.60
Today
GC251 Support Documentation
GC251Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$262.04
Today
GC251L Support Documentation
GC251LCustomer Inspired! Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 500 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$275.40
Today
GC501 Support Documentation
GC501Empty Glass Cell with Ø50 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$320.27
Today
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Empty Glass Cells, One Fill Tube with Valve

Specifications
Item # GCV251 GCV501
Fill Tubes One
Valve Type J. Young®
Window Size Ø25.0 ± 0.5 mm Ø50.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Clear Aperture Ø21.0 mm Ø36.0 mm
Window Thickness 3.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Perpendicularity ±1°
Cell Length 100.0 ± 3 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.50" (12.7 mm)
Window & Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Borosilicate Transmission
(Click for Plot)
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Single Fill Tube with J. Young® Valve
  • 100 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Cells
  • Ø25 mm or Ø50 mm Fused Borosilicate Windows
  • Ideal for Sample Isolation

Glass cells with a single fill tube are useful when introducing a sample into the cell and sealing it off for measurements. A gas sample can be sealed off elsewhere in the system or by using a cell with a J. Young® Valve integrated into its fill tube. J. Young Valves incorporate a retractable, greaseless, PTFE stopcock for maintaining a high vacuum. The yellow knob can be tightened to create a seal before the T-junction fill tube or unscrewed completely for cleaning.

We offer Ø25 mm glass cells with Ø21.0 mm clear apertures and Ø50 mm glass cells with Ø36.0 mm clear apertures. The Ø25 mm glass cells are compatible with our selection of heaters for Ø25 mm glass cells. All of our glass cells are made from borosilicate glass.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
GCV251 Support Documentation
GCV251Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube with J. Young® Valve
$465.85
Today
GCV501 Support Documentation
GCV501Empty Glass Cell with Ø50 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube with J. Young® Valve
$524.10
Today
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Empty Glass Cells, Two Perpendicular Fill Tubes

Specifications
Item # GC252 GC502
Fill Tubes Two at 90°
Valve Type N/A
Window Size Ø25.0 ± 0.5 mm Ø50.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Clear Aperture Ø21.0 mm Ø36.0 mm
Window Thickness 3.0 ± 0.5 mm
Window Perpendicularity ±1°
Cell Length 100.0 ± 3 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.50" (12.7 mm)
Window & Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Borosilicate Transmission
(Click for Plot)
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Two Fill Tubes at 90°
  • 100 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Cells
  • Ø25 mm or Ø50 mm Fused Borosilicate Windows
  • Ideal for Sample Flow Through

Glass cells with two fill tubes enable gas samples to flow through the cells while under analysis. These cells do not come with integrated valves and can only isolate a sample by adding valves at other points in the system.

We offer Ø25 mm glass cells with Ø21.0 mm clear apertures and Ø50 mm glass cells with Ø36.0 mm clear apertures. The Ø25 mm glass cells are compatible with our selection of heaters for Ø25 mm glass cells. All of our glass cells are made from borosilicate glass.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
GC252 Support Documentation
GC252Empty Glass Cell with Ø25 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, Two Fill Tubes
$291.16
Today
GC502 Support Documentation
GC502Empty Glass Cell with Ø50 mm Fused Windows, 100 mm Long, Two Fill Tubes
$349.39
Today