What is Performance Verification?
What is ‘Performance Verification’?
For the Thermo Evolution spectrophotometer, a performance verification test confirms that absorbance measurements at a given wavelength are traceable to an international standard and that the instrument is performing within specified limits.
Users sometime employ the term ‘calibration’, but the appropriate terminology for the process of testing that a spectrophotometer is performing within manufacturer specifications is called ‘performance verification’ (P.V.).
Definitions
Complete Performance Verification (Complete P.V.)
The process of testing the spectrophotometer using a full range of tests including wavelength and photometric accuracy testing at three or more points to verify the instrument is performing within the tolerances of the published specifications for that instrument.
Short Performance Verification (Short P.V.) or ‘Daily Check’
The process of testing the wavelength and/or photometric accuracy at one point as an interim verification performed between Complete P.V. of the instrument. Short P.V. test (this is synonymous with terms such as “daily verification” or “daily check”) performed at a frequency of 24 hours reduces the risk of measurement instruments giving erroneous results between the typically longer cycle of Complete P.V. tests. The P.V. Module is designed to provide a “daily verification” test of the Evolution.
Guidance document ISO/ASTM 51275:2013(E) Standard Practice for Use of a Radiochromic Film Dosimetry System
Performance Verification of Instrumentation (spectrophotometer):
7.3.2 Implementation of a daily check program intended to verify instrument performance before and after measurement sessions is also recommended.
Further reading - GEX Technical Report 100-221 Selecting P.V. Method for the Evolution spectrophotometer
Many options are available for Performance Verification (P.V.) testing of the Evolution Spectrophotometer. Users may find it difficult to determine what P.V. method to use, which are ‘required’, which are ‘recommended’ by GEX or Thermo Fisher Scientific, and most importantly what is best for the user’s application. This technical report discusses the available options, and provides a method to assist users in making a decision to fit their needs.