High-resolution whole field fluorescence lifetime imaging of fluorophore distribution and environment

We report the development of a high temporal resolution fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) system suing a time- gated image intensifier to provide whole field FLIM images. The gate width has been optimized to 110 ps, and changes in the environment of a fluorescent phantom, causing lifetime differences of 20 ps, have been detected. Environmental changes of the fluorescent indicator, Lucifer Yellow, have been sensed by measuring changes in its fluorescence lifetime in the presence of the protein albumin. We also present provisional fluorescence lifetime images of tissue constituents.