Spectrophotometric instrument

A spectrophotometric instrument for the quantitative measurement of an optical property of an analyte in a sample cell at one or more wavelengths, wherein the spectrophotometric instrument comprises:

• an instrument housing which houses a source of electromagnetic radiation and a detector between which in use the electromagnetic radiation passes along an optical path;
• an optical pot for accommodating the sample cell in the optical path, wherein the optical pot is seated inside the instrument housing;
• and
• a flexible restraining cradle mounted circumferentially on the optical pot in sealing engagement with the instrument housing, wherein the flexible restraining cradle is adapted to restrainedly accommodate the sample cell in the optical path, the flexible restraining cradle comprising:
• an annular collar fitted to the mouth of the optical pot, the annular collar being at least partly reentrant to encapsulate the upper rim of the optical pot;
• a plurality of spaced apart pillars, each pillar extending axially along and axially beyond the inner wall of the annular collar adjacent to a longitudinal section of the interior wall of the optical pot;
• and
• wherein each pillar extends through an aperture in the floor of the optical pot to form a foot.