Prøveholder

Prøveholder, or sample holder, is a generic term used in laboratory settings to describe a device that holds a sample in position for processing, manipulation, or measurement. In Norwegian technical language it covers diverse components used across analytical instruments, microscopy, and testing rigs. The exact form depends on the sample type, the instrument, and the measurement method.

Common forms include cuvette or cell holders used in spectrophotometers and fluorimeters to maintain a defined optical path and align the sample with light beams. These are made from materials such as quartz, glass, or high-grade plastics, chosen for chemical compatibility and optical properties. Slide or specimen holders secure samples on microscopy stages, often fabricated from metal or plastic and designed to keep the sample flat and stable during imaging or analysis. Autosampler or vial holders are used in chromatography and mass spectrometry to position vials or microtubes for injection and to support temperature control during analysis. Microtiter plate holders and frame assemblies are used in plate readers and incubators to ensure correct positioning of wells in 96- or 384-well formats.

Materials commonly used include stainless steel, aluminum, and various polymers such as PEEK or polycarbonate, selected for strength, chemical resistance, and inertness to avoid sample contamination. Important design considerations are compatibility with the instrument, chemical resistance, temperature tolerance, ease of cleaning, and the ability to reproduce measurements through stable and repeatable positioning.

By providing reliable sample positioning, prøveholder contributes to measurement accuracy and repeatability across laboratories.