# The chlorophyll fluoroscope, a device to observe the in vivo emission of chlorophyll fluorescence for teaching and demonstration purposes

## TL;DR

A low-cost device called the chlorophyll fluoroscope allows direct observation of chlorophyll fluorescence in large plant samples for educational purposes.

## Contribution

The fluoroscope is a novel, affordable device for observing in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence in macroscopic plant samples.

## Key findings

- The fluoroscope uses 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components for easy construction.
- It enables direct observation of chlorophyll fluorescence in large samples like plant leaves.
- The device is suitable for teaching and science demonstrations.

## Abstract

In vivo chlorophyll fluorescence has long been known to be intimately related to photosynthesis, being the basis of widespread and sophisticated instrumentation. Although easily observed in plant extracts or using epifluorescence or confocal microscopes, chlorophyll fluorescence is seldom observed in macroscopic samples, such as plant leaves of macroalgae thalli. This work presents a ‘chlorophyll fluoroscope’, a device that allows the direct observation of the fluorescence emitted in vivo by large samples. The chlorophyll fluoroscope is easy to construct and operate, comprising inexpensive 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelve components. It is primarily intended for use in teaching and science demonstration events while having the potential to interest those who are aware of chlorophyll fluorescence yet often have never observed the phenomenon.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11120-025-01150-9.