This paper presents the simulation modelling of a typical experimental setup for time-resolved fluorescence
measurement. The developed model takes into account the setup geometry, characteristics of light source, detector and
fluorescent sample as well as the adopted measurement technique. A qualitative verification of the model has been
reported before. In this paper, we present a quantitative analysis and verification of the system versatility. For this we
conducted time-resolved fluorescence measurements using a two-chip based micro-system, including a blue micro-LED
array as a light source and a CMOS SPAD array as a detector. The sample of interest (CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in
toluene) in a micro-cavity slide and an excitation filter were placed in the gap between the excitation and detection
planes. A time-correlated single photon counting module was used to build fluorescence decay curves. A range of
experiments with different excitation light pulse widths and using several setups have been performed. The simulated
data are in good agreement with measured results and the model proves to be flexible enough to simulate different light
sources and detector quenching/recharging circuits. This model can be used to predict qualitative and quantitative results
for specific experimental setups, supporting the explanations of observed effects and allowing the realisation of virtual
experiments.
This paper describes a simulation model (implemented in MATLAB) of a typical setup used for time-resolved
fluorescence measurements, including: a laser source, basic fluorescence sample, optics, single-photon avalanche diode
and read-out electronics. The correctness of the model has been verified by setting up a simple time-resolved
fluorescence measurement using a CMOS SPAD-based detector. The solution of fluorophore (CdSe/ZnS quantum dots
in toluene) in a glass capillary was placed above the detecting surface and excited by laser pulses. We have used a time-gating
technique with 10-ns observation window shifted at 60-ps time steps across the appropriate time interval. The
observed curve corresponds to the convolution of the fluorescence emission and the 10-ns observation window.
Simulation accuracy has been verified by comparing the experimental fluorescence decay with the simulated one using
chi-square test. The proposed model allows researchers to simulate the behaviour of SPAD detectors with a good
accuracy and demonstrates how imperfections in the experimental system can affect the result. The model enables the
design of SPAD-based detectors with the best performance for a specific application area.
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