Femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence up-conversion spectrometer corrected for wavelength-dependent conversion efficiency using continuous white light

Abstract

We have developed a fluorescence up-conversion spectrometer which allows us to observe femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectra directly and correctly. The spectral response of the spectrometer including wavelength-dependent up-conversion efficiency is acquired through up-conversion of a spectrally calibrated continuous white light. On the other hand, wavelength-dependent mismatch of the time origin is determined as wavelength-dependent change of the peak position of the temporal instrumental response function derived from deconvolution with the wavelength-resolved fluorescence decay curve of a sample. Comparison between the time-resolved fluorescence spectrum thus obtained for the sample and that reconstructed from the fluorescence decay curves measured at a set of wavelengths at the same delay time has been made in order to confirm the validity of the correction procedures.