TCSPC and Time Tagging Electronics

MultiHarp 160

Scalable Multichannel Event Timer & TCSPC Unit

  • Ships within 2 weeks
  • Up to 64 independent input channels with 5 ps base resolution
  • Scalable via extension units à 16 channels (patented)
  • Common sync channel (up to 1.2 GHz sync rate)
  • Ultrashort dead time (650 ps), no dead time across channels
  • Hardware access to data stream via external FPGA interfaces
  • Ref In/Ref Out/PPS In/White Rabbit interface for multi-device synchronization
  • Drivers and Python wrapper snAPI for seamless communication, configuration, data handling, and custom programming
  • Multifunctional on-board event filters
Image MultiHarp 160 Scalable Multichannel Event Timer & TCSPC Unit

PicoQuant's 5 year limited warranty for selected product typesThe MultiHarp 160 is designed as a plug-and-play event timer and Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) unit which is optimized for applications that require a large number of fast and precise timing channels. The high quality and reliability of the MultiHarp 160 is reflected by our unique 5-year limited warranty.

Scalable up to 64 input channels

The number of input channels can be scaled to your needs (covered by patent DE 10 2008 004 549): the main unit (MultiHarp 160 M) provides 16 of them and can be expanded with up to three extension units (MultiHarp 160 X). Each extension unit adds 16 channels to the event timer, thus providing a choice of 16, 32, 48 or 64 synchronized input channels. The MultiHarp 160 M also features a synchronization channel as a timing reference for all 16 to 64 input channels. This synchronization channel supports sync rates of up to 1.2 GHz for periodic sync rates. The data from all input channels are combined into a single data stream that is accessible via the USB 3.0 interface. No additional synchronization tools are required.

All channels of the MultiHarp 160 – including the common sync input – can be used as detector inputs, e.g., for coincidence correlation or coincidence counting. The MultiHarp 160 is also perfectly suited for performing TCSPC with multiple detectors using forward start-stop operation. Here the common sync channel allows for synchronization with the excitation source.

Fast and precise event timing

The MultiHarp 160's smartly designed time-to-digital converters (5 ps base resolution, <650 ps dead time) allow to fully exploit the count rate limits of time-correlated single photon counting, without having to compromise on the time resolution for many modern single photon detectors. With its ultrashort dead time, multiple photons per excitation cycle can be detected even at the highest repetition rates achievable by modern picosecond pulsed lasers (requires a detector from the PMA Hybrid Series).
Each input channel also features easily accessible parameter settings, which include the trigger parameters as well as programmable timing offsets and hold-off times.

Multifunctional on-board event filters

The MultiHarp 160 has user-defineable on-board event filters to efficiently reduce the file sizes and the amount of data sent via the data interfaces (USB, external FPGA interface).

Data interface for external FPGA boards

For applications with high count rates at multiple input channels, the data read-out speed and/or the data processing speed by the computer is the major bottleneck. This bottleneck can be bypassed by reducing the data size that is sent to the computer. Such a data reduction is for example done in the histogramming mode of the MultiHarp 160, where TCSPC histograms sent to the computer are calculated out of the arrival times of the input signals by the hardware itself.
To enable the greatest possible flexibility, the time tagging data stream of the MultiHarp 160 can be accessed by external FPGA boards with FMC or SFP connectors via dedicated FPGA interfaces (referenced as "EFI REAR" and "EFI SFP", respectively). This way, you can tailor the method of data preprocessing to your specific application. 

White Rabbit logo White Rabbit ready event timer

White Rabbit is a fully deterministic, Ethernet-based timing network which provides sub-nanosecond accuracy and precise synchronization of devices over large distances. Thanks to its White Rabbit interface, the MultiHarp 160 is ready to be integrated into set-ups that are using this emerging technology.

Download our free White Paper to learn more about the flawless interoperability of the MultiHarp devices with the switches from Seven Solutions.


Input Channels and Sync Constant level trigger on all inputs, software adjustable
Number of detector channels
(in addition to Sync input)		 16 (Main unit)
32 (Main unit + first extension unit)
48 (Main unit + first and second extension unit)
64 (Main unit + first, second, and third extension unit)
Input voltage operating range (pulse peak into 50 Ohms) -1200 mV to 1200 mV
Input voltage max. range (damage level) ±2500 mV
Trigger edge falling or rising edge, software adjustable
Input pulse width > 0.4 ns (rise/fall time max. 20 ns)
Time to Digital Converters
Minimum time bin width 5 ps
Timing precision* < 28 ps rms
Timing precision / √2* < 20 ps rms
Dead time  < 650 ps (can be increased via software up to 160 ns in steps of 1 ns)
Adjustable programmable time offset for each input channel ±100 ns, resolution 5 ps
Differential non-linearity < 5 % peak to peak, < 1 % rms (over full measurement range)
Maximum sync rate (periodic pulse train) 1.2 GHz
Histogrammer
Count depth 32 bit (4 294 967 295 counts)
Full scale time range 328 ns to 2.74 s (depending on chosen resolution: 5, 10, 20, …, 41 943 040 ps)
Maximum number of time bins 65 536
Peak count rate per input channel 1.5 × 109 counts/sec for 2048 events
Total sustained count rate, sum over all input channels MultiHarp 160 M:
332 × 106 counts/sec (166 × 106 counts/sec per row of 8 input channels)

MultiHarp 160 X1, X2, X3:
332 × 106 counts/sec (166 × 106 counts/sec per row of 8 input channels)
TTTR Engine
T2 mode resolution 5 ps
T3 mode resolution 5, 10, 20, …, 41 943 040 ps
FiFo buffer depth (records) 268 435 456 events
Peak count rate per input channel 1.5 × 109 counts/sec for 2048 events
Total sustained count rate, sum over all input channels** 80 × 106 counts/sec via USB 3.0 interface
FPGA Data Interface
Throughput T2/T3 Mode (EFI REAR) 200 × 106 events/sec
Throughput T2/T3 Mode
(EFI SFP)		 156 × 106 events/sec
 
Throughput T2 Direct Mode (EFI REAR only) 200 × 106 events/sec per row of 8 input channels
+ 78 × 106 events/sec for SYNC input
Latency T2 Mode 4.5 µs to 5.0 µs
Latency T3 Mode 4.5 µs to 5.5 µs
Latency T2 Direct Mode (EFI REAR only) SYNC: 1.7 µs to 1.8 µs
Others: 0.8 µs to 1.2 µs
Trigger Output
Period programmable, 0.1 µs to 1.678 s (0.596 Hz to 10 MHz)
Pulse width 10 ns typ.
Baseline level 0 V typ.
Active level (pulse peak) -0.7 V typ. (50 Ohm)
External Marker Inputs
Number 4
Input type LVTTL, < 50 ns rise/fall time, > 50 ns at HIGH or LOW (max 5V for 1 µs), software adjustable hold-off
External Synchronization
Ref IN 10 MHz
200 … 1500 mV p.p.
50 Ohm; AC coupled
Ref OUT Default: 10 MHz
White Rabbit mode: 31.25 MHz
1400 mV p.p.
50 Ohm; AC coupled
PPS IN 1 s, LVTTL
White Rabbit interface connector for SFP module
Operation
PC interface USB 3.0
PC requirements Dual Core CPU or better,  min. 2 GHz CPU clock, min. 4 GB memory 
Operating system Windows 10/11
Power consumption Max. 150 W
Operation environment Indoor use only
Operation altitude Max. 2000 m above sea level
Dimensions
MultiHarp 160 M (main unit) incl. feet and handles 285 × 425 × 100 mm
MultiHarp 160 X (extension unit) incl. feet and handles 285 × 425 × 62 mm

* In order to determine the timing precision it is necessary to repeatedly measure a time difference and to calculate the standard deviation (rms error) of these measurements. This is done by splitting an electrical signal from a pulse generator and feeding the two signals each to a separate input channel. The differences of the measured pulse arrival times are calculated along with the corresponding standard deviation. This latter value is the rms jitter which we use to specify the timing precision. However, calculating such a time difference requires two time measurements. Therefore, following from error propagation laws, the single channel rms error is obtained by dividing the previously calculated standard deviation by √(2). We also specify this single channel rms error here for comparison with other products.

** Sustained throughput depends on configuration and performance of host PC.


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.

Easy-to-use software included, custom programming supported

Screen shot of the MultiHarp 160 softwareThe MultiHarp 160 comes with a Windows software package that provides all important functions such as setting measurement parameters, displaying results, loading / saving of measurement parameters and measurement curves. Important measurement data, including count rate, count maximum, position and peak width are continuously displayed. A comprehensive online help system eases the user into fully employing the capabilities of the MultiHarp 160. A library for custom programming, e.g., with C, C#, LabVIEW, Matlab, and Python is also included.

snAPI fast, intuitive, and versatile Python wrapperFast, intuitive, and versatile Python wrapper snAPI

snAPI serves as a bridge between the capabilities of PicoQuant's TCSPC devices and the Python ecosystem, offering efficient device communication, configuration, and data handling for all users.

Operation and software features

The MultiHarp 160 can be used in various operation modes:

Integration mode

Measurement of the accumulated events as a function of time, manually started, stopped manually or upon overflow or expiration of a chosen collection time or upon reaching of a defined number of counts. 512 curves with up to 65 536 time channels, more than 4 billion counts per time channel (32 bits).

Oscilloscope mode

Repetitive measurement and on-line display, very useful for optical alignment. Flicker free histogram display updates and large rate meters for work in the distance.

Time-Tagged Time-Resolved mode(s) (TTTR)

Continuously recording events without onboard histogramming straight to disk. Together with the channel number the arrival time of each event with respect to the beginning of the experiment is recorded for ultimate flexibility in offline data analysis, e.g. in single molecule detection and Burst Integrated Fluorescence Lifetime (BIFL) measurement as well as time-resolved FCS, coincidence correlation (antibunching, etc.) or time-interval analysis. Fast transfer and a large FIFO buffer allow huge count rates without any loss of data. Up to four different external synchronization signals ("markers") can be fed into the data stream and allow to synchronize the data acquisition with external hardware such as scanners for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM).

Software overview

The MultiHarp 160 software allows the control of all measurement parameters provided by the MultiHarp 160 module. The input channels are programmable for a variety of signal types. All functions of the system are controlled by a software interface for Windows 10 and 11. The software provides functions such as the setting of measurement parameters, display of measurement results, loading and saving of measurement parameters and measurement curves. Important measurement characteristics such as count rate, count maximum and position, and histogram width (FWHM) are displayed continuously. A comprehensive online help function shortens the user's learning curve. Software upgrades for extended functionality will be available with further product development. A library (DLL) for custom program development is also provided and allows building your own applications, e.g., in LabVIEW , C++, Delphi or Matlab. Demo code is provided for an easy start. A Windows as well as a Linux version is available. The libraries are API compatible, so that applications can easily be ported between the platforms.

Current software and developer's library version: 4.0.0.0

The software version supports a new gateware, that strongly reduces the timing jitter and the external FPGA interface can now also use the SFP port at the front. For both features the gateware must be of February 2025 or later.


Time-Tagged Time-Resolved (TTTR) mode allows the recording of individual count events directly to hard disk or computer memory. The timing of each photon is captured as an event record without any early data reduction (such as on-board forming of histograms). This mode is particularly interesting where e.g. the dynamics in a fluorescence process are to be investigated in depth. The availability of the full timing information permits photon burst identification, which is of great value e.g. for single molecule spectroscopy in a liquid flow. Other typical applications are Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and Burst Integrated Fluorescence Lifetime (BIFL) measurements. Together with an appropriate scan controller, TTTR mode is also suitable for ultra fast Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) with unlimited image size. Applications beyond fluorescence spectroscopy are e.g. time interval analysis, quantum optics and related basic rearch. The MultiHarp 160 actually supports two different time-tagging modes, T2 and T3 Mode - a concept originally introduced with previous products of the Harp series. They differ slightly in their use of the input channels. By using the suitable mode, a very wide range of applications can be covered.

T2 Mode

In T2 Mode all signal inputs of the MultiHarp 160 are functionally identical. There is no dedication of one channel to a sync signal. All inputs can be used to connect photon detectors. The events from all channels are recorded independently and treated equally. In each case an event record is generated that contains information about the channel it came from and the arrival time of the event with respect to the overall measurement start. If the time tag overflows, a special overflow marker record is inserted in the data stream, so that upon processing of the data stream a theoretically infinite time span can be recovered at full resolution. Dead times exist only within each channel but not across the channels. Therefore, cross correlations can be calculated down to zero lag time. This allows powerful new applications such as FCS with lag times from picoseconds to hours to be implemented with one instrument. Autocorrelations can also be calculated at the full resolution but of course only starting from lag times larger than the deadtime.

Scheme: of the T2 mode of the MultiHarp 160

T3 Mode

The T3 Mode is specifically designed to use periodic sync signals from pulsed lasers with high repetition rate up to 1.2 GHz. This signal is connected to the dedicated sync channel. As far as the experimental setup is concerned, this is similar to classic TCSPC in histogramming mode. In addition to the picosecond start-stop timing, the channel number is recorded and each event is time tagged with respect to the beginning of the experiment. The time tag is obtained by simply counting sync pulses. From the event records in T3 mode it is therefore possible to precisely determine which sync period a photon event belongs to. Since the sync period is also known precisely, this furthermore allows to reconstruct the arrival time of the photon with respect to the overall experiment time. If the counter overflows, a special overflow marker record is inserted in the data stream, so that upon processing of the data stream a theoretically infinite time span can be recovered.

Scheme: of the T3 mode of the MultiHarp 160

External Event Markers

The MultiHarp 160 supports capturing up to four external marker events in the TTTR modes that can be fed to the instrument as TTL signals via a suited SubD connector. These events are recorded as part of the TTTR data stream. This allows to precisely synchronize the TTTR measurement with almost any experiment, e.g. with the movement of piezoscanners for imaging applications or with the switching of electro-optic modulators.

Software Support

The acquisition software provided with the instrument comes with a rich set of demo programs that enable users to write their own analysis and display programs for TTTR data. Users who prefer to use standard data analysis algorithms out of the box may want to consider the powerful QuCoa software suite for coincidence correlation and advanced coincidence analyses, or SymPhoTime64 for a wide range of time-resolved Fluorescence analyses.


The MultiHarp 160 can be used for various applications that call for a time tagger featuring a large number of synchronized inputs without compromises in time resolution and data throughput, such as:


The following documents are available for download:


Latest 10 publications referencing MultiHarp 150, MultiHarp 160

The following list is an extract of 10 recent publications from our bibliography that either bear reference or are releated to this product in some way. Do you miss your publication? If yes, we will be happy to include it in our bibliography. Please send an e-mail to info@picoquant.com containing the appropriate citation. Thank you very much in advance for your kind co-operation.

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