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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Time-resolved Photophysical Characterization of Triplet-harvesting Organic Compounds at an Oxygen-free Environment Using an iCCD Camera
Published on: December 27, 2018
Time-resolved methods in biophysics. 7. Photon counting vs. analog time-resolved singlet oxygen phosphorescence
Ana Jiménez-Banzo1, Xavier Ragàs, Peter Kapusta
1Grup d'Enginyeria Molecular, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, Via Augusta 390, 08017, Barcelona, Spain.
New optoelectronic advances enable highly sensitive, time-resolved detection of singlet oxygen phosphorescence using photon counting. This boosts the technique
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Photochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Singlet oxygen (O2(a1Deltag)) detection is crucial in photochemistry.
- Conventional analog detection methods have limitations in time-resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
- Advancements in optoelectronics offer potential improvements for this technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel approach for time-resolved detection of singlet oxygen phosphorescence.
- To highlight the advantages of photon counting mode over conventional analog detection.
- To showcase applications of this enhanced detection technique.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing novel near-infrared sensitive photomultipliers.
- Employing diode-pumped solid-state lasers operating at kHz repetition rates.
- Implementing time-resolved detection in photon counting mode.
Main Results:
- Significantly improved time-resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range for singlet oxygen detection.
- Demonstration of the principles underlying the novel photon counting approach.
- Successful application examples illustrating the technique's efficacy.
Conclusions:
- The integration of advanced optoelectronics revolutionizes singlet oxygen phosphorescence detection.
- Photon counting mode offers superior performance compared to analog methods.
- This enhanced technique provides powerful new avenues for research in photochemistry and related fields.
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