Time-correlated photon counting technique robust against multiple photon events using a multianode photomultiplier tube

A time-correlated photon counting technique which is robust against multipl e photon events has been developed. Utilizing a 16 channel multianode photo multiplier tube, both the time interval between the excitation and the firs t detection of a fluorescence photon and the number of detected fluorescenc e photons are measured simultaneously. Based on the time and the number dat a fluorescence decay parameters can be estimated by maximizing the log like lihood. Results of computer simulations and experiments show that this tech nique can be successfully applicable at high detection rates of > 0.9 fluor escence photon detection event per excitation on average. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)03902-2].