Giving new life to an outdated spectrofluorometer for static and time-resolved UCNP optical characterization

Area of Science:

• Scientific Instrumentation
• Open-Source Technology
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Proprietary software and hardware obsolescence render scientific equipment inoperable, particularly impacting low-income countries.
• Limited funding often forces institutions to prioritize general-use equipment, hindering specialized research areas like upconversion studies.
• Refurbishing older equipment with open-source solutions offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refurbish and enhance a 30-year-old Horiba PTI QuantaMaster 400 spectrofluorometer using open-source hardware and software.
• To enable both steady-state and time-resolved spectral measurements, including advanced techniques like upconversion studies.
• To provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution for scientific research in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Replaced proprietary control systems with a modern Red Pitaya (RP) CPU and FPGA board running Linux.
• Developed a Python application with a GUI and API to replicate and enhance original functionality.
• Integrated photon counting and upgraded monochromator control using the RP board and DRV8825 integrated circuits.
• Added a computer-controlled infrared laser for upconversion measurements.

Main Results:

• Successfully retrofitted a 30-year-old spectrofluorometer with open-source components, restoring and enhancing its functionality.
• Enabled both steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements, including photon counting.
• Demonstrated the system's capability by characterizing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with microsecond resolution.
• The refurbished instrument now offers enhanced functionality, programmability, and long-term sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Open-source refurbishment provides a viable and cost-effective method to extend the life of scientific equipment.
• This approach democratizes access to advanced research capabilities, particularly for institutions with limited resources.
• The enhanced spectrofluorometer supports specialized research, fostering scientific advancement in diverse settings.