What is the function of a sharp cutoff filter in spectrophotometry?

The function of a sharp cutoff filter in spectrophotometry is to prevent light interference at specific wavelengths. This is essential in analytical chemistry where accurate measurements of absorbance are required. With the presence of unwanted wavelengths (light from the source that may not correspond to the analyte of interest), these can lead to inaccurate readings or interference in the analysis.

A sharp cutoff filter selectively allows light of a particular wavelength range to pass while blocking other wavelengths that could skew the results. For instance, if a specific wavelength is being examined for a certain compound, any additional light from either the higher or lower range can cause noise in the signal, thus impacting the accuracy of absorbance measurements. By using this type of filter, spectrophotometric assays can yield more reliable and precise data regarding the concentration of various analytes in a given sample.