Berlin (Germany)-– PicoQuant has released a new design of the FluoTime 300 fluorescence lifetime spectrometer. The sample chamber of the system is now designed around modular sample holders, which allow a quick and easy change between different sample configurations, e. g. liquids, powders, or wafers. The range of available sample holders was also extended and now includes a front face sample holder for samples of up to 2 inch size. The holder permits to change position and angle of the sample with respect to the direction of excitation and detection from outside of the sample compartment. This special feature is extremely useful for an on-line optimization of the beam position on the sample while the measurement is running.

All available sample holders can be purchased at any time and easily installed by the user. The system software “EasyTau” recognizes the type of installed sample holder modules and changes the system parameters accordingly.

In addition to the new design of the sample chamber, the system software “EasyTau” can now also control the Oxford Instrument Optistat DN cryostat. This allows, for example, automated step-by-step cool down or warm up experiments without need to user interaction.

The FluoTime 300 is a fully automated spectrometer with steady-state and phosphorescence option. The system uses the method of Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) or Multichannel Scaling (MCS) to resolve fluorescence lifetimes down to a few picoseconds or up to several hundred milliseconds. Multiple detector options enable different spectral sensitivities from the ultraviolett to the near-infrared. The FluoTime 300 is designed to be used with picosecond pulsed diode lasers, the supercontinuum laser Solea, or LEDs. Xenon-Lamps can also be provided for steady-state or phosphorescence measurements.

About PicoQuant

PicoQuant GmbH is a research and development company in the field of optoelectronics. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in the science and technology park Berlin-Adlershof, Germany. The company is a worldwide leader in the field of single photon counting applications. The product line includes pulsed diode lasers and LEDs, photon counting instrumentation, fluorescence lifetime spectrometers and time-resolved confocal microscopes. PicoQuant employs currently around 50 people. Since April 2008 Sales and Support in North America is handled by PicoQuant Photonics North America Inc.