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Mini-tau

Lifetime Spectrometer

Ultra-compact, user-friendly instrument for fluorescence lifetime measurements at a low cost

Mini-tau

Lifetime Spectrometer

  • Fluorescence Lifetimes: Measure fluorescence lifetimes with ease using high-resolution time-correlated single photon counting
  • Ultra-Compact: Save lab space with the compact filter-based design
  • User Friendly: Filter-based design makes the instrument simple to use
  • Phosphorescence Lifetimes: Measure phosphorescence lifetimes from 10 ns to 10 s with the MCS lifetime upgrade

Live Video Demonstration

Send us your samples, and we can measure them live in an online demonstration

Contact us to arrange an online demonstration

Sensitive

Photon-counting detectors and electronics of the highest quality to detect low fluorescence

User-Friendly

Turn-key system with intuitive software

Space Saving

Ultra compact design (< 30 cm x 20 cm) – fits in any lab

Pulsed Sources

Edinburgh Instruments diode lasers and LEDs for fluorescence lifetime are directly compatible with MiniTau

Wide Lifetime Coverage

Cover a wide range of lifetimes, 25 ps tp 10 s, with the dual TCSPC and MCS version

Sensitive

Photon-counting detectors and electronics of the highest quality to detect low fluorescence

User-Friendly

Turn-key system with intuitive software

Space Saving

Ultra compact design (< 30 cm x 20 cm) – fits in any lab

Pulsed Sources

Edinburgh Instruments diode lasers and LEDs for fluorescence lifetime are directly compatible with MiniTau

Wide Lifetime Coverage

Cover a wide range of lifetimes, 25 ps tp 10 s, with the dual TCSPC and MCS version

Sensitive

Photon-counting detectors and electronics of the highest quality to detect low fluorescence
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

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The Mini-tau is an ultra-compact, low cost, filter-based dedicated fluorescence lifetime spectrometer. Using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), the Mini-tau can measure fluorescence lifetimes ranging from 25 ps to 10 μs (source dependent). It can also be equipped with Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS) electronics for long-range photoluminescence from 10 ns to 10 s.

Whether you need to measure fluorescence lifetimes or time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy for research, quality assurance or teaching applications, the Mini-tau is the ideal all-inclusive, fully integrated solution. Operation is extremely simple and intuitive making it the ideal entry-level instrument for photoluminescence lifetime.

Fluoracle software is supplied with the Mini-tau. It has an easy-to-use interface and allows users to comprehensively record data and accurately analyse complex decay kinetics of up to four lifetimes.

PRODUCT IMAGE

Options and Upgrades

Time Ranges
Lasers & LEDs
Sample Holder Options
Detectors
Time Ranges

MINITAU-TCSPC

Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting for fluorescence lifetimes of ~25 ps – 10 µs

MINITAU-MCS

Multi-Channel Scaling for phosphorescence lifetimes of 10 ns – 10 s

MINITAU-DUAL

Combines TCSPC and MCS to cover the full range of ~25 ps – 10 s

Lasers & LEDs

The Mini-tau spectrometer can be used with Edinburgh Instruments pulsed sources for TCSPC and MCS (EPL, EPLED, HPL, VPL, VPLED). Switching between sources only takes a few seconds and does not require any alignment.

Sample Holder Options
Single Cuvette Holder

The standard cuvette holder features water/coolant circulation for adjusting temperature. An external bath (not included) is required.

Solid Sample Holder

This sample holder is suitable for measuring front-face emission of slides and powders in cuvettes. Two additional inserts are supplied. Insert for holding films/slides, and insert comprising demountable cuvette.

Detectors

Blue sensitive PMT, uncooled

  • Spectral range:   200 nm – 680 nm
  • Typical response width 180 ps

Red sensitive PMT, cooled

  • Spectral range:   230 nm – 850 nm
  • Typical response width 180 ps

Extended red sensitive PMT, cooled

  • Spectral range:   230 nm – 920 nm
  • Typical response width 180 ps

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Mini-tau Lifetime Spectrometer
Mini-tau Lifetime Spectrometer
Specification
Mode of operationTime-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), Multi-Channel Scaling (MCS)
Lifetime rangeApprox. 25 ps - 10 µs (TCSPC), 10 ns - 10 s (MCS)
Instrumental pulse width250 ps (in standard configuration with diode laser excitation)
Excitation wavelengthsAll picosecond pulsed diode lasers (EPL Series, HPL Series) and pulsed LEDs can be used in TCSPC (375 nm through to 980 nm). The above picosecond sources as well as variable pulse width sources (VPL Series, VPLED Series) can be used in MCS mode.
Attenuation4 orders of magnitude, linear
Filter WheelComes as standard to accept 50 mm x 50 mm filters. Filter wheel with 5 bandpass filters of approx. 50nm width centred at 450nm, 500nm, 550nm, 600nm, and 650nm; one position without filter.
DetectorHigh speed PMT detector with amplifier, interlock and overload protection in fan-assisted TE cooled housing. Spectral range 230 nm - 850 nm or 230 nm - 920 nm, typical pulse width 180 ps, dark count rate 150 cps at 0°C. ps, dark count rate: 150 cps at 0°C
Data acquisitionTCC2 electronics module: up to 8192 channels per curve, forward or reverse mode, minimum channel resolution 305 fs, 20 ps time jitter, TAC ranges from 2.5 ns to 50 µs in TCSPC mode. Up to 8000 channels per curve, 10 ns resolution and up to 10 MHz repetition rate in MCS mode.
Data analysisMarquardt-Levenberg algorithm - up to 4 lifetimes - anisotropy calculation
Dimensions265 mm (l) x 195 mm (d) x 125 mm (h) (excluding laser, detector, lid)
Weight5 kg (excluding laser, detector)

DOWNLOADS

  • Mini-tau Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometer Datasheet
  • TCC2 Lifetime Electronics Module Datasheet
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