The FluoTime 300 "Easy Tau" is a fully automated, high performance fluorescence lifetime spectrometer with steady-state option. It contains the complete optics and electronics for recording fluorescence decays by means of Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) or Multichannel Scaling (MCS). The system is designed to be used with picosecond pulsed diode lasers or LEDs. Multiple detector options enable a large range of system configurations. With the FluoTime 300 decay times down to a few picoseconds can be resolved.

Sample chamber

The sample chamber contains a versatile sample holder (standard: cuvette, optional: front-face). Temperature control of the cuvette holder is possible by attaching an external thermostat (tubing for the circulating fluid is pre-installed) or with an optional peltier-cooled single- or multi-cuvette sample holder. A cryostat can be integrated for measurements at low temperature.

Excitation sources

The FluoTime 300 is designed to be used with picosecond pulsed lasers or LEDs. These flexible excitation sources are available in a very broad wavelength range from 255 nm to 1550 nm. They can be varied in output power and operated at any repetition rate from single shot to 80 MHz (depending on wavelength) and thus allow to match the excitation conditions ideally to the sample requirements. A common driver unit of the PDL Series such as the PDL 800-D is used to control the individual excitation source.

TCSPC data acquisition

The data acquisition module PicoHarp 300 contains the complete timing electronics for Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC). The system works in forward start-stop mode, still operating at laser repetition rates up to 84 MHz. The temporal resolution can be selected to be as short as 4 picoseconds and the maximum full time span extends up to 33 µs. An separate data acquisition board for decays up to several hundred milliseconds (phosphorescence) is also available.

Detector

The PMA detector unit is recommended for the majority of applications. The unit has a built-in high voltage power supply, signal pre-amplifier for optimal timing performance and a nickel coated aluminum housing for maximum shielding. With this detector unit, an Instrument Response Function (IRF) shorter than 200 ps can be achieved. An alternative detector, based on the Hamamatsu R3809 series microchannel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT), combined with fast laser sources, can achieve an IRF of less than 50 ps. Cooling is availble for both detector types to reduce the number of dark counts.

System software

The FluoTime 300 "Easy Tau" features an intuitive and easy-to-use system software. All measurement data files and all related analysis results are stored in a clearly arranged workspace, which resembles the familiar tree structure of a hard drive directory. Data dependencies are thus visible at first glance.
Specifically designed application wizards guide the user through the necessary steps for performing typical measurement tasks such as fluorescence lifetime measurements, anisotropy measurements, collection of emission spectra or Time-Resolved Emission Spectra (TRES). An additional expert mode for individual full instrument control will also be available for more sophisticated application tasks.