We have investigated a new pulsed light source for time-resolved fluor
imetry. The light source consists of a beta emitter, Sr-90, and a liqu
id or plastic scintillator. Time-correlated single photon counting is
employed to demonstrate the new pulsed light source. Measured fluoresc
ence lifetimes of standards anthracene(4.97 +/- 0.06 ns) and 1-aminoan
thracene (21.4 +/- 0.2 ns) agree well with literature values. Advantag
es 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 radioacti
ve contamination from the beta emitter since it is bound in a ceramic
matrix and encapsulated.