Video-rate fluorescence lifetime imaging camera with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode arrays and high-speed imaging algorithm

J Biomed Opt. 2011 Sep;16(9):096012. doi: 10.1117/1.3625288.

Abstract

A high-speed and hardware-only algorithm using a center of mass method has been proposed for single-detector fluorescence lifetime sensing applications. This algorithm is now implemented on a field programmable gate array to provide fast lifetime estimates from a 32 × 32 low dark count 0.13 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) plus time-to-digital converter array. A simple look-up table is included to enhance the lifetime resolvability range and photon economics, making it comparable to the commonly used least-square method and maximum-likelihood estimation based software. To demonstrate its performance, a widefield microscope was adapted to accommodate the SPAD array and image different test samples. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy on fluorescent beads in Rhodamine 6G at a frame rate of 50 fps is also shown.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Equipment Design
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Microscopy, Video / instrumentation*
  • Microspheres
  • Photons
  • Rhodamines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Semiconductors

Substances

  • Rhodamines
  • rhodamine 6G