High-speed, high-sensitivity aerosol fluorescence spectrum detection using a 32-anode photomultiplier tube detector

We employ a 32-anode photomultiplier tube (PMT) in a fluorescence detection system and demonstrate its ability to record broad fluorescence spectra at frame rates in excess of 1.4x10(3) Hz, which is 56x faster than the frame rate of an intensified charge coupled device detector. The multi-anode PMT has single-photon detectable sensitivity. A new data acquisition and processing system for the multi-anode PMT, together with the system-controlling software, has been developed. The performance characteristics of the fluorescence detection system, including the data rate capability, dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and crosstalk among the different anodes, are reported. The 32-anode PMT and acquisition system are suitable for a real-time, field-portable, multichannel optical analyzer. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.