Scintillator-Based Nanosecond Light Sources for Time-Resolved Fluorimetry

Abstract

We have investigated a new pulsed light source for time-resolved fluorimetry. The light source consists of a beta emitter, Sr90, and a liquid or plastic scintillator. Time-correlated single photon counting is employed to demonstrate the new pulsed light source. Measured fluorescence lifetimes of standards anthracene (4.97 ± 0.06 ns) and 1-aminoanthracene (21.4 ± 0.2 ns) agree well with literature values. Advantages of the new light source include the low cost, the size (1 cm−3 or smaller), the nanosecond pulse widths, the high pulse rates, and the extremely stable pulse-to-pulse profile. There is no risk of radioactive contamination from the beta emitter since it is bound in a ceramic matrix and encapsulated.