Multi-Anode Photon Detector for Simultaneous Wavelength and Time Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photon detectors are unable to simultaneously measure the wavelength and emission time of photons at a high repetition rate, leading to insufficient data collection before fluorescent dyes bleach, especially when the emission probability is low and the delay times are very small, making it difficult to determine fluorescence lifetime and wavelength correlations.
Innovation Solution
A photon detection system that uses a laser to excite a sample, directing photons through a prism to a photomultiplier tube with multiple anodes connected to delay lines, where the difference and sum of propagation times indicate wavelength and emission delay, allowing simultaneous measurement of wavelength and emission time with high resolution and rapid data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional photon detectors are used to measure fluorescence, then the measurement process is simple, but the data collection rate is insufficient before dye bleaching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into multiple detector elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, where each element independently detects photons. This segmentation enables parallel detection of multiple photons simultaneously, dramatically increasing the data collection rate before dye bleaching occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-element or linear array detectors to a two-dimensional detector array. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous measurement of both spectral information (wavelength) and temporal information (emission time) for multiple photons in parallel, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and time loss.
2Productivity
If the detector uses multiple detector elements to increase data collection, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two-dimensional detector array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects photon wavelength through spatial position mapping, measures emission time through timing electronics, and enables parallel detection of multiple photons. This multi-functionality increases productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical scanning systems with a static two-dimensional detector array combined with electronic timing. Instead of mechanically moving detectors or scanners to collect spectral and temporal data, the system uses electronic readout and timing circuits to achieve the same measurements, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the measurement resolution is increased to accurately measure small delay times, then the measurement precision improves, but the data collection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical timing methods with electronic timing circuits that can resolve nanosecond and picosecond delay times. The use of fast electronics instead of mechanical measurement mechanisms enables both high precision (10-20 ps resolution) and high speed (nanosecond time range measurements) simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter scale from macroscopic time measurements to nanosecond and picosecond ranges. By operating in this optimized time parameter range with appropriate electronic detection, the system achieves both the required measurement precision for small delay times and maintains high productivity through rapid repeated measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and rapid measurement of photon wavelengths and emission times, providing extensive information about the sample before dye bleaching, and revealing correlations between wavelength and lifetime that are not accessible with conventional methods, allowing for more precise imaging and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A photon detector includes a two-dimensional array of detector elements... each of which generates an electrical pulse when a photon is incident on the detector element
Implementation Method 2
The second optical path is altered as a function of the wavelength of the photon emitted from the sample... directing photons through a prism to a photomultiplier tube
Data Source
AI summary
Photons emitted from a sample responsive to being excited by laser pulses are directed through a prism onto a photomultiplier tube having several spaced-apart anodes. The prism alters the path of each photon as a function of its wavelength so that the wavelength determines the anode to which the photon is directed. Taps of first and second delay lines that are coupled to respective alternating anodes. When an anode receives the photon, it generates a pulse that propagates through the delay line in opposite directions from its associated tap. A timer determines first and second times from the laser pulse to the pulse reaching the first and second ends of the delay line. The difference between the first and second times corresponds to the wavelength of the emitted photon and the sum of the first and second times corresponds to the emission delay of the emitted photon.