Compact and Modular Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometer Fully automated compact and modular system Filter based emission selection, optional monochromator Supports both TCSPC and Multi-Channel Scaling data acquisition Step by step application wizards and scripting option Covers lifetime ranges from picoseconds to milliseconds

The FluoTime 250 integrates all essential optics and electronics for time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in a compact, fully automated device. This spectrometer is designed to assist the user in carrying out routine as well as complex measurements easily and with high reliability thanks to fully automated hardware components and a versatile system software featuring wizards providing step-by-step guidance.

Fully automated with high performance optics

All components (attenuators, polarizers and filter wheel) in the optical beam paths are motorized and controlled by the EasyTau 2 software. Emission wavelength selection is implemented via a motorized filter wheel equipped with various cut-off or bandpass filters as selected by the customer. An optional monochromator is available for the UV/VIS spectral range.

Flexible excitation sources

The FluoTime 250 uses picosecond pulsed lasers diodes and LEDs from PicoQuant’s LDH and PLS series, covering a spectral range from 255 to 1550 nm. All excitation sources are controlled via a PDL 820 laser driver, which allows not only to vary output power and repetition rates (up to 80 MHz) but also supports burst mode for selected laser heads.

TCSPC and MCS based data acquisition

Several outstanding data acquisition units are available with various temporal resolutions (from 4 ps to 250 ns). Coupled with the right detectors from the PMA or PMA Hybrid Series, the FluoTime 250 is capable of measuring time-resolved emissions with lifetimes ranging from approximately 10 ps up to several hundreds ms.

A choice of detectors

The FluoTime 250 can be equipped with a single photon counting detector from either the PMA or PMA Hybrid Series. These detectors offer picosecond temporal resolutions and cover different spectral ranges between 180 and 920 nm. For studies in the near infrared, a PMT module with sensitivity from 950 to 1400 nm is also available. Each detector includes an electro-mechanical shutter, active cooling, and overload protection.

System software EasyTau 2

The EasyTau 2 software package is the one-stop solution for both full hardware control of the FluoTime 250 as well as for interactive data analysis and fitting. The software offers a Windows-based graphical user interface with dedicated applications wizards guiding users through the optimization and data acquisition process for many common applications. Advanced users get full control over all instrumental aspects thanks to a customized mode and scripting language. The integrated analysis and fitting module supports a broad range of time-resolved spectroscopy applications, such as fluorescence and phosphorescence decays, or anisotropy measurements. A powerful report generator allows creating presentation-ready graphical and numerical output.

Course on time-resolved fluorescence

PicoQuant annually holds the European short course on "Principles and Applications of Time-resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy". The course is intended for individuals wishing an in-depth introduction to the principles of fluorescence spectroscopy and its applications to the Life Sciences. The course is held in cooperation with Prof. J.R. Lakowicz from the Center of Fluorescence Spectroscopy (CFS) in Baltimore and consists of lectures as well as instrumentation and software hands-on training. For details see the course website.