Laser-Spectroscopic Applications. Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2004. pp. 389-460. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-18520-5_10]

Sapphire optical viewport for high pressure and temperature applications

We describe the design of a soldered sapphire optical viewport, which is useful for spectroscopic applications of samples at high temperatures and high pressures. The sapphire window is bonded via active soldering to a metal flange with a structure of two c-shaped rings made of different metallic materials in between, so as to mitigate thermally induced stress. A spectroscopic cell equipped with two of the optical viewports has been successfully operated with alkali metals in a noble gas environment at temperatures in the range of 20-450 °C at noble gas pressures from 10^-6 mbar to 330 bars. In the upper pressure range, we observe a leakage rate smaller than our readout accuracy of 30 mbar per day.

Violet diode laser-induced chlorophyll fluorescence: a tool for assessing mosaic disease severity in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars

Violet diode laser-induced chlorophyll fluorescence was used in agronomical assessment (disease severity and average yield per plant). Because cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is of economic importance, improved cultivars with various levels of affinity for cassava mosaic disease were investigated. Fluorescence data correlated with cassava mosaic disease severity levels and with the average yield per plant.