Products
Applications & Methods
Search

Products

Application & Methods

Home >
Products >
Photon Counting Detectors >
PMA Hybrid Series

PMA Hybrid Series

Hybrid Photomultiplier Detector Assembly

Enhance your single-photon counting experiments with wide dynamic range and excellent timing precision in the UV and visible even at the highest count rates.
PMA Hybrid Series hybrid photomultiplier detector assembly for single-photon counting and TCSPC measurements.
Table of contents

Key Benefits

Wide dynamic range
Best timing precision for shortest lifetimes
No dead time and negligible afterpulsing
High count rate perfomance
Large, easy-to-align active area
Reliable UV–NIR coverage

High-Performance Hybrid Detection for Photon Counting

Detection efficiency curves of the different photocathodes available for the PMA Hybrid Series, covering spectral ranges from the UV to the NIR.

Clarity in Every Single Photon

PMA Hybrid Series combines large area hybrid photomultiplier technology (PMTs) with sensitivity of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). With timing precision down to 20 ps, negligible afterpulsing, and detection efficiencies up to 45 %, these detectors enable reliable photon counting in demanding TCSPC, FLIM, and correlation applications. Each module integrates temperature stabilization, RF shielding, and all required electronics for effortless operation and seamless compatibility with PicoQuant systems, spectrometers, and laser scanning microscopes. These capabilities make the PMA Hybrid Series an ideal choice for FCS, FLIM, FRET, TRPL, LiDAR, and other advanced photon-counting workflows.

 

Comparison of normalized instrument response functions (IRFs) of different photon-counting detectors, highlighting the narrow timing response and clean decay behavior of hybrid photomultiplier detectors.

Hybrid Detection in Time-Resolved Measurements

Hybrid photomultiplier detectors combine fast timing, low noise, negligible afterpulsing and dead time-free detection in a way that is difficult to achieve with conventional detector technologies. These characteristics enable reliable photon counting under demanding conditions, including high count rates and time-resolved measurements where detector-related artifacts can otherwise limit accuracy.

Hybrid Detection for High-Rate TCSPC

High-speed TCSPC measurements often face significant challenges from pile-up distortion and timing errors, especially when photon arrival rates approach or exceed the excitation rate. Systems perform reliably only when the detector combines short dead time, low dark counts and minimal afterpulsing. Hybrid photodetectors meet these requirements through their fast response and clean timing behavior, which allows accurate reconstruction of fluorescence decay curves even under high photon flux. PMA Hybrid provides these characteristics in a compact detector module, making it well suited for measurement schemes that require both high count rates and precise timing.

Multichannel detection unit based on Hybrid PMTs and SPCM SPADs.

Key Performance Characteristics

  • Five photocathode options covering 220–890 nm with detection efficiencies up to 45 %
  • Timing performance down to 20 ps FWHM, dead time-free and with negligible afterpulsing, ideal for FCS and correlation methods
  • Large active areas up to 6 mm for high light collection efficiency and flexible optical coupling
  • Nickel-coated housing with dedicated RF shielding and optimized preamplifier for clean TCSPC timing
  • Integrated Peltier cooling, HV supply, overload protection, and dual signal outputs for stable single-photon measurements
  • Direct compatibility with PicoQuant TCSPC systems, spectrometers, and laser scanning microscopes

 

Specifications

Cathode type

06

07 – 3mm

07 – 6mm

40 – 3mm

40 – 5mm

42

50

Wavelength range

220 nm – 650 nm

220 – 850 nm

220 – 850 nm

300 – 720 nm

300 – 720 nm

300 – 870 nm

380 – 890 nm

Dark counts (cooled)*

typ. 10 cps, max. 20 cps

typ. 100 cps, max. 250 cps

typ. 100 cps, max. 250 cps

typ. 100 cps, max. 300 cps

typ. 300 cps, max. 1000 cps

typ. 150 cps, max. 320 cps

typ. 250 cps, max. 600 cps

Transit time spread (FWHM, typ. value)

50 ps

20 ps

30 ps

90 ps

170 ps

130 ps

130 ps

Overload shutdown at**

80 MHz

80 MHz

80 MHz

80 MHz

80 MHz

80 MHz

80 MHz

Single electron response width (typ. value)

600 ps

600 ps

600 ps

600 ps

600 ps

600 ps

600 ps

Pulse rise / fall time (typ. value)

400 ps

400 ps

400 ps

400 ps

400 ps

400 ps

400 ps

Connector

SMA female

Impedance

50 Ohms

Polarity

negative

Connector

SMA female

Impedance

> 1k Ohms

Polarity

positive

Max. Out

+10 V (corresponds to 50 Mcps)

Time constant of the amplifier

20 μs

Input

12 V DC

Max. current consumption

0.8 A

Housing (w × d × h)

60 × 175.3 × 114.5 mm

Optical adapters

C-mount, mounting holes for FluoTime 250 / FluoTime 300 spectrometers

*If lower dark counts than those specified here for the detector of your interest are necessary, we can offer you a special selection upon request.

**With CW excitation, lower values at different conditions

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.

Technical Documentation and Data

Technical Downloads

Datasheet PMA Hybrid Series

Contains specifications, features and applications of hybrid PMT detectors offering low jitter, high sensitivity and no afterpulsing.

Technical Note: Metabolic State Profiling of Organoids with FLIM

Demonstrating metabolic state profiling of organoids using FLIM of NAD(H) autofluorescence with the Luminosa confocal microscope.

Scientific Insights & Resources

Latest Blog Articles

Schematic TCSPC histogram showing pile-up distortion at high count rates with recorded photon distribution rrec(t) deviating from the true impinging distribution rimp(t).
July 11, 2025

Breaking the Pile-Up Barrier: High-Rate TCSPC Beyond the Excitation Limit

FLIM-FRET lifetime map showing reduced donor lifetime of PRG5 at the plasma membrane and in filopodia of HEK293T cells.
January 3, 2025

Resolving Protein Multimerization with Quantitative FLIM-FRET

Fluorescence lifetime imaging maps of intracellular sodium concentration in hippocampal neurons during baseline, severe chemical ischemia, and recovery, with and without TRPV4 inhibition.
September 29, 2025

Upgrading Laser Scanning Microscopes for High-Rate Sodium Imaging

Schematic TCSPC histogram showing pile-up distortion at high count rates with recorded photon distribution rrec(t) deviating from the true impinging distribution rimp(t).
July 11, 2025

Breaking the Pile-Up Barrier: High-Rate TCSPC Beyond the Excitation Limit

FLIM-FRET lifetime map showing reduced donor lifetime of PRG5 at the plasma membrane and in filopodia of HEK293T cells.
January 3, 2025

Resolving Protein Multimerization with Quantitative FLIM-FRET

Fluorescence lifetime imaging maps of intracellular sodium concentration in hippocampal neurons during baseline, severe chemical ischemia, and recovery, with and without TRPV4 inhibition.
September 29, 2025

Upgrading Laser Scanning Microscopes for High-Rate Sodium Imaging

Visit our science hub
Relevant for Your Research​

Matching Applications & Methods​

All Applications & Methods
Switcher A&M
illustration of a van der Waals heterostructure emitting quantum light
Materials Science

2D Materials Research

Schematic illustration of nanostructured materials on a substrate highlighting heterogeneous nanoscale architectures studied by optical and time-resolved characterization.
Materials Science

Nanomaterials Research

Image of a solar cell surface structure used for optical characterization of charge carrier dynamics and recombination processes.
Materials Science

Solar Cell Characterization

In-Depth Scientific Resources

Scientific Resources

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Poster: High Speed Multichannel TCSPC Electronics

Poster describing high-speed multichannel TCSPC electronics using SiGe time-to-digital converters, enabling 25 ps timing resolution and high-throughput photon timing.

Download

Poster: Next Generation TCSPC Detection

Poster on next-generation TCSPC detection using PMA Hybrid detectors, enabling artifact-free FCS, antibunching measurements, and high-sensitivity FLIM imaging.

Download

Download

Request your file

Please fill out the form below to receive the requested file. After submitting your details, the file will be sent to you by email.

* Required

Consent*
Expand Your System

Complete your setup

Combine compatible components to build a complete system tailored to your experimental requirements and measurement workflows.
PicoHarp 330 time tagging and TCSPC unit front view
Precise and Versatile Time Tagging & TCSPC Unit
Exceptional timing precision
Flexible trigger options
Upgradable channel configuration
High thoughput via USB
Smart on-board event filters
Get a quote
UniHarp software interface displaying time resolved histogram measurement data
Universal Time-Tagging Data Acquisition Software
Run complex experiments faster with intuitive workflows
Gain immediate experimental feedback via real-time visualization
Set up complex measurements without scripting
Compare live results directly with previously recorded data
Clean measurement data using built-in filtering tools
Get a quote
VisUV high-power UV–visible picosecond laser module for spectroscopy and microscopy experiments.
High Power UV to Visible Picosecond Laser
Available as single-, dual-, or triple-wavelength configuration
Enhanced resolution
High measurement stability
Reliable long-term performance
Easy integration & operation
Flexible excitation schemes
Get a quote
Learn, Connect, and Exchange

Meet PicoQuant at Scientific Events

All events
Info Request

Explore Similar Products

Customer also Bought

Explore alternative products within this category to compare specifications, performance, and configurations for your application.

HydraHarp 500 multichannel TCSPC and time tagging unit front view
High-Resolution Multichannel Time Tagging & TCSPC Unit
Exceptional timing precision
Flexible trigger options
Upgradable channel configuration
High throughput via USB & external FPGA interface
Remote synchronization via White Rabbit
Smart on-board event filters
Get a quote
Prima 3-color picosecond laser from PicoQuant with trigger, gate, and sync interfaces for time-resolved spectroscopy and microscopy.
3-Color Stand-Alone Picosecond Laser
Simple multi-wavelength setup
Lower system complexity
Cost-effective excitation source
Improved data quality
Easy integration & control
Reliable long-term stability
Get a quote
LDH-I Series smart picosecond diode laser head with integrated cooling, compatible with the Taiko PDL M1 driver for calibrated excitation in time-resolved spectroscopy.
Smart Picosecond Laser Diode Heads
Higher measurements accuracy
Faster data acquisition
Broad experimental flexibility
Reliable synchronization
Improved experiment stability
Long-term consistency
Get a quote
Enter search term

Info Request

Contact us

Please fill out the form below to request more information about our products and services. You may also use it to ask for pricing, availability, technical specifications, or any other details relevant to your inquiry. Our team will be happy to review your request and get in touch with you. If additional information is needed to process your inquiry, we will let you know.

* Required

Consent*

Contact us

Please fill out the form below to request more information and prices about our product. Our team will be happy to review your request and get in touch with you. If additional information is needed to process your inquiry, we will let you know.

* Required

Consent*