MICROSCOPY-PAM

Version:

Product

For probing of microscopic objects down to the single chloroplast

The MICROSCOPY-PAM is an extremely sensitive non-imaging chlorophyll fluorometer, which can measure smallest spots in microscopic specimen like tissue preparations or suspensions. The fluorometer consists of a modified epi-fluorescence microscope equipped with a modulated LED light source and a photomultiplier for detection of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence.

Outstanding Properties of the MICROSCOPY-PAM

Fluorescence detection by a highly sensitive red-enhanced photomultiplier tube

Single cell analysis

Version with blue or red light available

Components of the MICROSCOPY-PAM

The MICROSCOPY-PAM system uses a Zeiss AxioScope 5 epifluorescence microscope. The standard version of the microscope is equipped with a wide-aperture Zeiss Fluar objective lens with 20-fold magnification, and a blue 470 nm Zeiss LED module for fluorescence excitation. A red-orange 625 nm Zeiss LED module is available as alternative light source.

A special pulse modulation regime permits the use if the same LED module as source for measuring and actinic light as well as for saturation pulses.

Chlorophyll fluorescence is detected by a photomultiplier mounted on a special detector-ocular of the microscope. The ocular is equipped with an iris diaphragm with which the field of view can be narrowed down. A special dichroic beamsplitter filterset filters out the broadband fluorescence emission (λ > 650 nm).

Fluorescence excitation and detection are controlled by the PAM-CONTROL unit, which allows stand-alone operation of the MICROSCOPY-PAM but also functions as an interface for operation of the system by a Windows computer.

The PAM-CONTROL unit can be operated by the WinControl software versions 2 or 3. The system includes, an RS 232 cable, a USB-RS 232 adapter (when an RS-232 port is not available), a charger MINI-PAM/L, a cable to connect a chart recorder, and a transport box.

PAM-CONTROL Universal Control Unit

The PAM-CONTROL unit conducts PAM fluorescence measurements independently but it also acts as interface between fluorometer and a Windows computer running the version 2 or 3 of the WinControl software.

The PAM-CONTROL unit is part of various PAM systems, which all employ a highly sensitive photomultiplier tube for fluorescence detection: the MICROSCOPY-PAM, the MICROFIBER-PAM, and the WATER-PAM FIBER Version. In all three systems, an automatic shutdown procedure protects the photomultiplier tube against damage by high fluorescence levels or external light.

The memory of the unit can store 4000 data sets. An extensive menu provides full control of instrumental settings and a variety of measuring protocols.

Scientific Publications using Walz Devices

Source: Google Scholar.
Keywords: (Walz OR Waltz) Effeltrich.
Date: June 22, 2026.

Ʃ = 19642

Per Year

Source: Google Scholar.
Keywords: (Walz OR Waltz) Effeltrich.
Date: June 22, 2026.

Ʃ = 19642

Year

Selected Publications

Selective permeability of Chara nodal complex for cell-to-cell passage of photometabolites exerting opposite action on chlorophyll fluorescence

Bulychev AA, Krupenina NA, Alova AV

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 229: 110573

Go to publication

Do guard cells have single or multiple defense mechanisms in response to flg22?

Czékus Z, Kukri A, Martics A, Pollák B, Molnár Á, Ördög A, Váradi G, Galgóczy L, Papp R, Tóth L, Kocsis KA, Faragó, Bódi N, Bagyánszki M, Szalai G, Hamow KÁ, Poór P

Physiologia Plantarum 177: e70249

Go to publication

Symbiont community changes confer fitness benefits for larvae in a vertically transmitting coral

Olivares-Cordero D, Timmons C, Kenkel CD, Quigley KM

Ecology and Evolution 15: e70839

Go to publication

Microfluidic communications in characean internodes at neutral annd alkaline external pH

Bulychev AA, Krupenina NA

Physiologia Plantarum 177: e70211

Go to publication

PACMan: A software package for automated single-cell chlorophyll fluorometry.

Pontén O, Xiao L, Kutter J, Cui Y, Wählby C, Behrendt L

Cytometry 105: 203-213

Go to publication

Invasive submerged plant has a stronger inhibitory effect on epiphytic algae than native plant.

Lv T, Wang H, Wang Q, Li D, Gao C, Zhang T, Lei X, Liu C

Biological Invasions 26: 1001-1014

Go to publication

Oscillations of chlorophyll fluorescence after plasma membrane excitation in Chara originate from nonuniform composition of signaling metabolites in the streaming cytoplasm.

Bulychev AA, Strelets TS

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1865: 149019

Go to publication

Carbon and nitrogen uptake through photosynthesis and feeding by photosymbiotic Acantharia.

Mansour JS, Hansen PJ, Leroux C, Not F

Open Research Europe

Go to publication

Plasma membrane-chloroplast interactions activated by the hyperpolarizing response in characean cells.

Bulychev AA, Krupenina NA, Shapiguzov Y, Alova AV

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 201: 107836

Go to publication

Effects of cell excitation on photosynthetic electron flow and intercellular transport in Chara.

Bulychev AA, Eremin A, von Rüling F, Alova AV

Protoplasma 260: 131-143

Go to publication

Kleptoplast distribution, photosynthetic efficiency and sequestration mechanisms in intertidal benthic foraminifera.

Jesus B, Jauffrais T, Trampe ECL, Goessling JW, Lekieffre C, Meibom A, Kühl M, Geslin E

ISME Journal 16: 822-832

Go to publication

Induction changes of chlorophyll fluorescence in Chara cells related to metabolite exchange between chloroplasts and cytoplasmic flow.

Bulychev AA

Biochemistry (Moscow) Supplement Series A: Membrane and Cell Biology 15: 184-194

Go to publication

Effects of chloroplast-cytoplasm exchange and lateral mass transfer on slow induction of chlorophyll fluorescence in Characeae.

Bulychev AA, Cherkashin AA, Shapiguzov SY, Alova AV

Physiologia Plantarum 173: 1901-1913

Go to publication

Cell-by-cell estimation of PAH sorption and subsequent toxicity in marine phytoplankton.

Kottuparambil S, Agusti S

Chemosphere 259: 127487

Go to publication

Effects of light and daytime on the regulation of chitosan-induced stomatal responses and defence in tomato plants.

Czékus Z, Poór P, Tari I, Ördög A

Plants 9: 59

Go to publication

Cell-by-cell estimation of PAH sorption and subsequent toxicity in marine phytoplankton.

Kottuparambil S, Agusti S

Chemosphere 259: 127487

Go to publication

Non-photochemical quenching, a non-invasive probe for monitoring microalgal grazing: an early indicator of predation by Oxyrrhis marina and Euplotes sp.

Deore P, Karthikaichamy A, Beardall J, Noronha S

Applied Phycology 1: 20-31

Go to publication

Inhibition of endosomal trafficking by brefeldin A interferes with long-distance interaction between chloroplasts and plasma membrane transporters.

Bulychev AA, Foissner I

Physiologia Plantarum 169: 122-134

Go to publication

Family-level variation in early life-cycle traits of kelp.

Mabin CJT, Johnson CR, Wright JT

Journal of Phycology 55: 380-392

Go to publication

Cytoliths of Parietaria judaica can serve as an internal source of CO2 for photosynthetic assimilation when stomata are closed.

Giannopoulos A, Nikolopoulos D, Bresta P, Samantas A, Reppa C, Karaboiki K, Dotsika E, Fasseas C, Liakopoulos G, Karabourniotis G

Journal of Experimental Botany 70: 5753-5763

Go to publication

Cyclosis-mediated intercellular transmission of photosynthetic metabolites in Chara revealed with chlorophyll microfluorometry.

Bulychev AA

Protoplasma 256: 815-826

Go to publication

Chloroplasts of symbiotic microalgae remain active during bleaching induced by thermal stress in Collodaria (Radiolaria).

Villar E, Dani V, Bigeard E, Linhart T, Mendez Sandin M, Bachy C, Six C, Lombard F, Sabourault C, Not F

Mitigation of coral bleaching by antioxidants.

Marty-Rivera M, Roberson LM, Yudowski GA

Long-range interactions of Chara chloroplasts are sensitive to plasma-membrane H+ flows and comprise separate photo- and dark-operated pathways.

Bulychev AA, Rybina AA

Protoplasma 255: 1621-1634

Go to publication

Phototrophic microbes form endolithic biofilms in ikaite tufa columns (SW Greenland).

Trampe E, Castenholz RW, Larsen JEN, Kühl M

Environmental Microbiology 19: 4754-4770

Go to publication

Leaf anatomy and photosynthetic efficiency of Acrostichum danaeifolium after UV radiation.

Fonini AM, Barufi JB, Schmidt ÉC, Rodrigues AC, Randi ÁM

Photosynthetica 55: 401-410

Go to publication

Salinity effects on chloroplast PS II performance in glycophytes and halophytes.

Percey WJ, McMinn A, Bose J, Breadmore MC, Guijt RM, Shabala S

Functional Plant Biology 43: 1003-1015

Go to publication

Coral disease physiology: the impact of Acroporid white syndrome on Symbiodinium

Roff G, Kvennefors ECE, Ulstrup KE, Fine M, Hoegh-Guldberg O

Coral Reefs 27: 373-377

Go to publication

Action potential in Chara cells intensifies spatial patterns of photosynthetic electron flow and non-photochemical quenching in parallel with inhibition of pH banding

Krupenina NA, Bulychev AA, Roelfsema MRG, Schreiber U

Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 7: 681-688

Go to publication

Effect of plasma membrane excitation on spatially distributed H+ fluxes, photosynthetic electron transport, and non-photochemical quenching in the plant cell.

Bulychev AA, Krupenina NA

In: EM Bernstein (ed) Bioelectrochemistry Research Developments, Nova Science Publishers, pp 159-188

Does the coral host protect its algal symbionts from heat and light stresses?

Bhagooli R, Baird AH, Ralph PJ

Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7-11 July 2008: 113-117

Compositional and fluorescence characteristics of the giant diatom Ethmodiscus along a 3000 km transect (28°N) in the central North Pacific gyre.

Villareal TA, McKaya RML, Al-Rshaidata MMD, Boyanapallia R, Sherrella RM

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 54: 1273-1288

Go to publication

The use of pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence-based methods to evaluate effects of herbicides in microalgal systems of different complexity

Schmitt-Jansen M, Altenburger R

Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry 89: 665-681

Go to publication

Action potential in a plant cell lowers the light requirement for non-photochemical energy-dependent quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence

Krupenina NA, Bulychev AA

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics 1767: 781-788

Go to publication

Guard cells in albino leaf patches do not respond to photosynthetically active radiation, but are sensitive to blue light, CO2 and abscisic acid.

Roelfsema MRG, Konrad KR, Marten H, Psaras GK, Hartung W, Hedrich R

Plant, Cell & Environment 29: 1595-1605

Go to publication

The role of phytoplankton size on photochemical recovery during the southern ocean iron experiment.

Peloquin JA, Smith Jr WO

Journal of Phycology 42: 1016-1027

Go to publication

Fluorescence and photosynthetic competency in single eggs and embryos of Ascophyllum nodosum (Phaeophyceae).

Kim KY, Jeong HJ, Main HP, Garbary DJ

Phycologia 45: 331-336

Go to publication

Photosynthetic characteristics of the phytoplankton in the Scheldt estuary: community and single-cell fluorescence measurements.

Dijkman NA, Kromkamp JC

European Journal of Phycology 41: 425-434

Go to publication

Differential effects of plasma membrane electric excitation on H+ fluxes and photosynthesis in characean cells

Bulychev AA, Kamzolkina NA

Bioelectrochemistry 69: 209-215

Go to publication

Temporal patterns in effective quantum yield of individual zooxanthellae expelled during bleaching.

Ralph PJ, Larkum AWD, Kühl M

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 316: 17-28

Go to publication

Single-cell pulse amplitude modulation fluorescence measurements of the giant diatom Ethmodiscus (Bacillariophyceae)

Villareal TA

Journal of Phycology 40: 1052-1061

Go to publication

Acclimation of Antarctic bottom-ice algal communities to lowered salinities during melting.

Ryan KG, Ralph P, McMinn A

Polar Biology 27: 679-686

Go to publication

Effect of a single excitation stimulus on photosynthetic activity and light-dependent pH banding in Chara cells.

Bulychev AA, Kamzolkina NA, Luengviriya J, Rubin AB, Müller SC

Journal of Membrane Biology 202: 11-19

Go to publication

Spatio-temporal patterns of photosystem II activity and plasma-membrane proton flows in Chara corallina cells exposed to overall and local illumination.

Bulychev A, Vredenberg W

Planta 218: 143-151

Go to publication

Use of Cell-Specific PAM-Fluorometry to Characterize Host Shading in the Epiphytic Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus.

Villareal TA, Morton SL

Marine Ecology 23: 127-140

Go to publication

Parallel recordings of photosynthetic electron transport and K+-channel activity in single guard cells.

Goh C-H, Dietrich P, Steinmeyer R, Schreiber U, Nam H-G, Hedrich R

The Plant Journal 32: 623-630

Go to publication

Zooxanthellae expelled from bleached corals at 33°C are photosynthetically competent.

Ralph PJ, Gademann R, Larkum AWD

Marine Ecology Progress Series 220: 163–168

Go to publication

Measurement of light and pH dependence of single-cell photosynthesis by fluorescence microscopy.

Snel JFH, Dassen HHA

Journal of Fluorescence 10: 269-274

Go to publication

New approach of monitoring changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence of single guard cells and protoplasts in response to physiological stimuli.

Goh H, Schreiber U, Hedrich R

Plant, Cell & Environment 22: 1057-1070

Go to publication

MICROSCOPY-PAM

Features
Data memory
128 kB CMOS RAM providing memory for 4000 data sets
Microcontroller
CMOS 80C52
Display
2 x 24 character alphanumerical LC-display with backlight
User interface
2 x 4 touch-sensitive keys to operate the internal mode
Measured parameters
F0, FM, FM', F, FV/FM (max. Yield), ΔF/FM' (Yield), qP, qN, NPQ, PAR (using special micro quantum sensor), ETR (i.e. PAR x ΔF/FM')
Power supply
Internal rechargeable battery 12 V/2 Ah, providing power for at least 10 000 Yield measurements, automatic power off, battery charger MINI-PAM/L (100 to 240 V AC)
Dimensions
17.6 cm x 11.5 cm x 9.5 cm (L x W x H)
Weight
2 kg (incl. battery)
Operating temperature
-5 to +45 °C
Connectors
Actinic light
Drives up to three actinic LEDs
AUX input
Receives signals from temperature and light sensors
AUX output
Sends control signals to external LED drivers
Charge
Socket for battery charger
Far-red light
Up to three far-red LEDs can be driven
Measuring light
Capacity to drive up to three LEDs, both as measuring and actinic light sources, 12 LED intensity and 12 pulse frequency settings are available, automatic change of measuring light frequency
Output
Provides analog signal to chart recorder
Photomultiplier
Full control of photomultiplier PM-MF
RS232
Communication with Windows Computer
Computer-controlled Operation
Software
WinControl-3 System Control and Data Acquisition Program (Microsoft Windows 10 and 11) for operation of measuring system via PC, data acquisition and analysis. Not compatible with Windows 10 on ARM
Input
100 to 240 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz
Output
19 V DC, 3.7 A
Operating temperature
0 to 40 °C
Dimensions
15 cm x 6 cm x 3 cm (L x W x H)
Weight
300 g
Design
Based on photosensor module H-6779-01 (Hamamatsu) with pulse preamplifier and automatic overload switch-off, aluminum housing with mounting rod to be fixed on Stand ST-101
Signal detection
Miniature photomultiplier with high red sensitivity (type H6779-01, Hamamatsu)
Dimensions
110 mm x 65 mm x 78 mm (H x W x D)
Weight
520 g (incl. 1.4 m cable)
Design
To be mounted underneath objective lens (instead of object slide); featuring 0.2 mm pin hole, fluorescent diffuser, blue-enhanced photodiode and separate preamplifier
Dimensions
Sensor, 76 mm x 26 mm x 4 mm (L x W x H); preamplifier, Ø 25 mm, length 77 mm
Weight
110 g (incl. 85 cm cable and preamplifier)
Design
Aluminum box with custom foam packing for PAM-CONTROL and accessories
Dimensions
60 cm x 40 cm x 25 cm (L x W x H)
Weight
5 kg

Accessories

Design of sensor

Microscopy quantum sensor for PPFD (photosynthetical photon flux density) measurement.

Sensor housing

Black anodized aluminum housing

Diffuser material

Resin with fluorescence dye

Signal detection

High stability silicon photovoltaic. Signal output typically 1.5 μA / (1000 μmol m-2 s-1)

Temperature coefficient of photodiode

0.01 %/K

Absolute calibration

± 5 %

Operating temperature

0 °C … + 40 °C

Cable length

55 cm

Connector

BNC

Power supply

Not required

Size

Height: 5.5 mm
Length: 76 mm
Width: 26 mm
Diffuser diameter: 0.2 mm

Weight
36 g

WinControl-3 Software

General Features and Graphical User Interface

The MICROSCOPY-PAM can be operated by Windows computers running the WinControl-3 software. The same software operates the fluorometers DIVING-PAM-II, MICRO-PAM, MINI-PAM-II, MONITORING-PAM, and JUNIOR-PAM, PAM fluorometers operated via the PAM-CONTROL interface (MICROSCOPY-PAM, MICROFIBER-PAM and WATER-PAM FIBER-Version) as well as the Universal Light Meter ULM-500.

WinControl-2 Software

General Features and Graphical User Interface

The software WinControl-2 was developed for on-line operation via the interface PAM-CONTROL of the fluorometers MICROSCOPY-PAM, MICROFIBER-PAM, and WATER-PAM FIBER Version. WinControl-2 logs fluorescence data and automatically calculates fluorescence ratio parameters derived from saturation pulse analysis.

The WinControl-2 software runs only on Windows 7 32 bit or older Windows 32 bit operating systems.