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PicoQuant Fluorescence Spectrometers – QM Upgrade Kit

The spectrofluorometer QuantaMaster from PTI can be used for many basic spectroscopic applications like the determination of the excitation and emission characteristics of a sample.

PicoQuant Lifetime Upgrade Kit for PTI QuantaMaster
The spectrofluorometer QuantaMaster from PTI can be used for many basic spectroscopic applications like the determination of the excitation and emission characteristics of a sample. The capabilities of this system can be further enhanced by using time-resolved techniques, because they will grant the following advantages:

• Decay time as a further dimension enhances the accuracy of analytical measurements

• Independence from fluorophore concentration

• Discrimination of elastic and Raman scattering by temporal resolution

  • » Picosecond fluorescence lifetime measurements
  • » Turn-key picosecond diode lasers or sub-nanosecond LEDs
  • » Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC)
  • » Advanced data analysis software
Optical configuration
  • L-Geometry (determined by PTI QuantaMaster design)
Mode of operation
  • Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC)
  • Multichannel Scaling (MCS)
Lifetime range
  • 50 ps to 10 µs with PMT detector and TCSPC electronics
  • Up to several 100 ms with PMT and MCS electronics
Excitation sources
  • Picosecond pulsed diode lasers or LEDs with repetition rates up to 80 MHz, common driver unit
Spectral separation
  • uses monochromator of the QuantaMaster system
Detectors
  • Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) with various spectral ranges and sensitivities between 185 nm and 820 nm
Software
  • Easy to use, comprehensive, Windows based data acquisition and analysis software
  • Lifetime analysis based on numerical reconvolution procedure, up to 4th exponential decay functions, lifetime distributions, anisotropy, global analysis, rigorous error analysis

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.

Directly attached to the QuantaMaster

The upgrade kit can in principle be directly attached to the QuantaMaster. However, as there are some requirements that have to be fulfilled by the QuantaMaster, e.g. a second exit port at the monochromator or a second entrance port at the sample chamber, a close cooperation is needed to propose the optimum solution. Upon request an installation as well as an extensive training on the system is also possible.

The upgrade of a QuantaMaster is based on the method of Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), which is considered to be the most sensitive and accurate measurement method to determine fluorescence lifetimes with picosecond accuracy. The kit further includes picosecond pulsed diode lasers or LEDs, a detector suited for photon couting, all necessary cables as well as a powerful analysis software. The individual components of the upgrade kit are:

Lasers or LEDS for excitation

The excitation subsystem consists of a common pulsed diode laser driver and different laser heads or LEDs with pulses in the picosecond time regime. The available wavelengths range from 245 nm to 1550 nm. Wavelength changes are very easy as only the corresponding head needs to be changed.

PDL 800-D with laser head of LDH Series

 

TCSPC data acquisition

Two data acquisition modules (TimeHarp 260, PicoHarp 300) are available for the upgrade kit. They contain the complete timing electronics for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) with picosecond resolution. Depending on the type of excitation source and detector, fluorescence lifetimes down to 10 ps and phosphorescence lifetimes up to several milliseconds can be resolved. The data acquistion is controlled by an easy to use Windows software.

TimeHarp 260 - TCSPC and MCS board with PCIe interface

Fast photomultiplier detector

A detector of the PMA Series is used for the upgrade kit. The detector has a built-in high voltage power supply, signal pre-amplifier and a gold plated iron housing for optimal timing performance and maximum RF and magnetic shielding. With this detector unit, an Instrument Response Function (IRF) of less than 200 ps can be achieved in combination with a diode laser. Various different cathode types are available that cover the spectral range between 185 nm and 820 nm.

 

FluoTime 200 - PMT detector

Advanced data analysis

Acquired data can be directly transferred to the established FluoFit software for decay analysis. FluoFit features global decay analysis with an easy-to-use graphical user interface and presentation-ready numerical and graphical output. It implements an iterative reconvolution fitting routine with nonlinear error minimization. Various exponential decay models (up to fourth order including a scattered light term) or rate constant distribution models can be fitted to the observed decay in order to determine the fluorescence lifetime(s). IRF and decay background as well as time shift are included as fit parameters. Anisotropy analysis and advanced error analysis with different methods is also possible. Global analysis is also supported for all included models.

FluoFit - Decay analysis

 

The QM Upgrade Kit enables several multiple time-resolved applications with the spectrofluorometer QuantaMaster, such as: