Optimization of data-acquistion rates in time-correlated single-photon fluorimetry.

Four different operating configurations of a time-to-amplitude converter were examined for performance in the time-correlated single-photon fluorimetric experiment. Parameters considered were the intensity/count linearity, maximum data rate, and decay distortion. The inverted configuration with an interactive source was optimum. This arrangement combined total linearity with a 37-kHz conversion rate and did not distort the fluorescence decay. In addition, the pulse-height analyzer could severely limit the overall system data rate and could destroy the TAC intensity/count linearity.