A
spectroscopy method to be carried out with a
detector (130) comprising a plurality of pixels (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn), each pixel (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn) comprising at least two single
photon detector elements (133), wherein the
detector (130) records 5 a distribution of single
photon detections by each pixel (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn) with time from a most-recent pulse of an
excitation beam on a sample (124). The method comprises:- receiving spectral light produced by exciting the sample (124) with pulses of the
excitation beam; and dispersing the spectral light onto a spectrum. During a first time period, directing a first portion (150) of the spectrum onto a first 10 pixel (P1) of the plurality of pixels (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn) and a second portion (151) of the spectrum onto a second pixel (P2) of the plurality of pixels (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn), and reading out from the detector (130) a first distribution of single
photon detections made by the first pixel (P1) and a second distribution of single photon detections made by the second pixel (P2). During a second time period, 15 directing the first portion (150) of the spectrum onto the second pixel (P2) and the second portion of the spectrum onto a third pixel (P3) of the plurality of pixels (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5… Pn), and reading out from the detector (130) a third distribution of single photon detections made by the second pixel (P2) and a fourth distribution of single photon detections made by the third pixel (P3).
Spectral data is generated by 20 associating the first and third distributions with the first portion (150) of the spectrum and the second and fourth distributions with the second portion (151) of the spectrum.