Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 22(10), 1291 (2006).

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscope Consisting of a Compact Picosecond Dye Laser and a Gated Charge-Coupled Device Camera for Applications to Living Cells
Tomohiro UCHIMURA,*,** Satoshi KAWANABE,* Yuki MAEDA,* and Totaro IMASAKA*,**
*Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
**Department of Translational Research, Center for Future Chemistry, Kyusyu University, 744, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
An inverted microscope was combined with a compact dye laser with a pulse width of < 190 ps and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera with a minimum gate width of 200 ps. The resulting fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope, which has a temporal resolution of 340 ps, was used to measure the fluorescence lifetime of polymer microspherers. The results indicated a fluorescence lifetime of 0.9 ns. The present analytical instrument was also employed in an evaluation of biological cells after labeling them with SYTO 13, a fluorescent dye.