SPC-130IN TCSPC Series

High-Throughput PCIe Interface
SPC-180N Technology
Unprecedented Timing Stability and Time Resolution
Time Channel Width Down to 203 fs
Internal Timing Jitter (RMS) / IRF Width (FWHM) Down to 1.1 ps / 2.8 ps
12 MHz Saturated Count Rate
-NX and -NXX Versions Ideal for Ultra-Fast HPM (Hybrid) Detectors and Superconducting NbN Detectors
Precision Fluorescence Decay Recording
Simultaneous Fluorescence / Phosphorescence Decay Measurement
Multi-Wavelength Fluorescence Decay Measurement
Photon Correlation, Single-Molecule Spectroscopy
Free Instrument Software for Windows 10/11
Realtime Calculation and Fitting of FCS Curves
Link to SPCImage NG Data Analysis
Parallel Operation of Up to 4 Modules
Available as Multi-Module Package e.g. SPC-132IN, SPC-133IN and SPC-134IN

Description

The SPC-130IN is a high-end performance single photon counting (TCSPC) module with high time resolution down to the ps range at affordable costs. The timing module is the ideal choice for fluorescence lifetime applications and time correlation recording, with highest accuracy providing precise time information.

General Information

The module is available in three versions with different time range and time resolution:

Minimum Time Channel Width
SPC-130IN: 813 fs
SPC-130INX: 405 fs
SPC-130INXX: 203 fs

Internal Timing Jitter (RMS) / IRF Width (FWHM)
SPC-130IN: 2.5 ps / 6.6 ps
SPC-130INX: 1.6 ps / 3.5 ps
SPC-130INXX: 1.1 ps / 2.8 ps

The -NX version, and, especially, the -NXX version have been designed for ultra-fast detectors, SSPDs and ultra-fast hybrid detectors. The hardware interface achieves extremely high data transfer rates especially in the parameter-tag modes.

The SPC-130IN modules have all standard photon distribution modes, the continuous-flow mode, and the FIFO (time-tag) mode implemented. However, this timing module has no imaging mode. The SPC-130IN can thus be used for traditional fluorescence lifetime experiments, diffuse optical tomography, stopped flow experiments, single molecule detection and combined FCS/lifetime experiments. The SPC-130IN has especially overvoltage-hardened signal inputs. They are reliable and rugged, and can be used even under harsh conditions. When ordered in large quantities for OEM applications, the bh SPC-130IN modules offer unprecedented price-performance ratio. The module is upgradable to SPC-180N for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and other laser scanning applications.

All SPC-130IN family modules have high-speed PCI-Express (PCIe) interfaces and can be easily installed in nearly all PCs or configured as stand-alone timing unit.

Measurement Software Included

The SPCM operating and measurement software is included with all SPC series modules. SPCM provides online calculation and display (2D, 3D) of data (decay curves, FCCS) acquired in multiple operation modes. SPCM software undergoes active continuous development. SPCM receives frequent updates with new features and bug fixes. Read more…

FLIM and FCS Data Analysis

For advanced fluorescence lifetime single-curve data analysis, please use SPCImage.
For advanced visualisation and analysis of dynamic effects, please use SPCDynamics.
For advanced fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and cross-correlation (FCCS) data analysis, please use Burst Analyzer.

Custom Programming Libraries (DLL, LabVIEW)

For automation and custom software integration, DLLs and LabVIEW drivers are available. Read more…

Specifications

	SPC-130IN	SPC-130INX	SPC-130INXX
Photon Channel
Principle	Constant Fraction Discriminator (CFD)
Discriminator Input Bandwidth	4 GHz
Time Resolution (FWHM/RMS, electr.)	< 6.6 ps / 2.5 ps	< 3.5 ps / 1.6 ps	< 3 ps / 1.1 ps
Variance in Time of IRF max.	< 0.4 ps RMS over 100 s
Optimum Input Voltage Range	-30 mV to -500 mV
Min. Input Pulse Width	200 ps
Threshold	0 to -250 mV
Zero Cross Adjust	-100 mV to 100 mV
Syncronisation Channel
Principle	Constant Fraction Discriminator (CFD)
Discriminator Input Bandwidth	4 GHz
Optimum Input Voltage Range	-30 mV to -500 mV
Min. Input Pulse Width	200 ps
Threshold	0 to -250 mV
Frequency Range	0 to 150 MHz
Frequency Divider	1, 2, 4
Zero Cross Adjust	-100 mV to 100 mV
Time-to-Amplitude Converters / ADCs
Principle	Ramp Generator / Biased Amplifier
TAC Range	50 ns to 5 µs	25 ns to 2.5 µs	12.5 ns, 25 ns, 50 ns
Biased Amplifier Gain	1 to 15
Biased AmplifierOffset	0 % to 50 % of TAC Range
Time Range incl. Biased Amplifier	3.3 ns to 5 µs	1.67 ns to 2.5 µs	0.834 ns to 50 ns
Min. Time Channel Width	813 fs	405 fs	203 fs
ADC Principle	50 ns Flash ADC with Error Correction
Diff. Nonlinerarity	< 0.5 % RMS, typ. < 1 % peak-peak
Data Acquisition	Histogram Mode
Method	on-board multi-dim. histogramming process
Dead Time	80 ns, independent of computer speed
Saturated Count Rate	12 MHz
Useful Count Rate	6 MHz
Max. Counts / Time Channel (Counting Depth)	2¹⁶-1
Overflow Control	none, stop, repeat and correct
Collection Time	0.1 µs to 100,000 s
Diplay Interval Time	10 ms to 100,000 s
Repeat Time	0.1 µs to 100,000 s
Sequential Recording	Unlimited Recording by Memory Swapping
Routing	7 bit, TTL
Count Enable	1 bit, TTL
Input Experiment Trigger	TTL
Data Acquisition	FIFO / Parameter-Tag Mode
Method	Parameter-tagging of individual photons and continuous writing to disk
Online Display	Decay functions, FCS, Cross-FCS, PCH MCS Traces
FCS Calculation	Multi-tau algorithm, online calculation and online fit
Number of Counts of Decay / Waveform Recording	unlimited
Dead Time	80 ns
Saturated Count Rate, Peak	12 MHz
Sustained Count Rate (Bus Transfer Limit)	5 MHz
Max. Counts / Time Channel (Counting Depth)	unlimited
Output Data Format (ADC / Macrotime / Routing)	12 / 12 / 4
On-board FIFO Buffer Capacity (Photons)	2 * 10⁶
Macro Timer Resolution, Internal Clock	25 ns, 12 bit, overflows marked by MOTF entry in data stream
Macro Timer Resolution, Clock from Sync Input	10 ns to 100 ns, 12 bit, overflow marked by MOTF entry in data stream
Routing	4 bit, TTL
External Event Markers	4 bit, TTL
Experiment Trigger	TTL
Operation Environment
PC System	Windows 10, > 8 GB RAM, 64 bit operating system recommended
PC Interface	PCIe
Used PCIe Slots	1
Power Consumption	approx. 12 W from +12 V
Dimensions	230 mm x 130 mm x 18 mm

Downloads

Documents

The bh TCSPC Handbook
10th edition, September 2023

View

Datasheets

Manuals

Software

Data Acquisition and Analysis Software with DLL

TCSPC Package 7.0 64-bit

Visualisation and Analysis Software of Dynamic Effects

SPCDynamics

Analysis Software for FCS and cross-FCS

Burst Analyzer 2.2

LabVIEW Instrument Library

LabVIEW SPC v27

Applications

Application Notes

Principles

The bh SPC modules use a multi-dimensional TCSPC principle. The principle is an extension of the classic TCSPC process: A detector detects single photons of a periodic light signal. The TCSPC electronics measures the times of the photons within the signal (excitation) period, and builds up the distribution of the photons over the time of the signal period. The time resolution of the TCSPC process is much higher than the resolution of an analog recording with the same detector: The time of a photon pulse can be determined with a much higher precision than its width.

In extension of the classic process, the bh technique determines additional parameters of the photons, such as wavelength, point of origin within an image area, excitation wavelength, time from an external stimulation of the sample, time within an additional modulation period of the excitation light. The photon distribution is built up over the photon times in the signal period and one or several of these additional parameters. The results of this process are multi-wavelength fluorescence-decay data, fluorescence-lifetime images, multi-wavelength lifetime images, multi-excitation decay data or multi-excitation FLIM data, decay data or FLIM data of fast dynamic changes within a sample, or combined fluorescence / phosphorescence decay data or FLIM / PLIM data. Please see also 'The bh TCSPC Technique'.