What is the device used to measure percent light absorption in pigments?

[cncbmb]

What is the device used to measure percent light absorption in pigments?

I remember finding the percent light absorption in the pigments of some vegetables for a high school bio lab. I am pretty sure the device used was not specific for pigments. The device was user friendly- we just stuck some tubes in a magical box and the box displayed a number.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrophotometer

 

[chemisttree]

http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105-04/spec20.htm" is just such a magic box...