Custom leaf cuvettes for use with the CIRAS Portable Photosynthesis Systems

Spherical Leaf Cuvette

The cuvette is used to measure photochemical efficiency at low light intensities. It is particularly useful for comparative measurements of plants with fine leaf structures, such as conifers.

The inner surface of the sphere are plated in barium sulphate to give good internal reflection.  Uniform illumination up to 300 µmol m^-² s^-¹ is supplied by a quartz halogen bulb. Using an iris diaphragm, light intensity can be adjusted. Ports are provided for positioning PAR sensors above and below the leaf.

Gasketed groves for leaf petioles ensure gas sealing.  The leaf is sited between two glass windows in the center of the sphere, which form the upper and lower chambers of the water cooling jacket.

Wheat Cuvette

Built to study the photosynthesis of wheat, this Cuvette follows the principles set out by Parkinson, Day and Long.  Approximately 500mm high with an outside diameter of 90mm, an acrylic tube surrounds two connected glass tubes (30mmØ). The sample is inserted into one of the glass tubes and sealed. A stirring fan, located within the other glass tube provides stirring, whilst a larger fan within the acrylic tube provides cooling. 

The cuvette features a PAR Sensor, and thermistors within the cuvette monitor leaf conditions.  It is designed to be dismantled to allow cleaning of the cylinders.

PLC5 (C) Automatic  Conifer Leaf Cuvette

(Inert Materials)

To prevent contamination of gas samples, the gaskets, plugs and seals of this cuvette were made of PTFE and other inert materials. An external control box allowed Automatic control of temperature and light from CIRAS.
Apart from the inert materials, this cuvette is now available as a standard cuvette.

Optional light units (quartz halogen and LED) are available for automatic control of light.  Click on Light Units for more details.

An optional head plate can be supplied to easily convert the PLC5(Narrow) to a PLC5(Conifer).

Data Sheet

Mini Leaf Cuvette

This simple cuvette is designed to clip onto leaves. It features an IR Glass window (15mm diameter in this example), and sample/analysis gas connectors. Even distribution of air over the leaf surface is maintaned by a cylindrical manifold. There are no environmental sensors.

If you would like to receive more information on any of our custom cuvettes, contact PP Systems.