One-Cuvette Sample Compartment
Overview of ChronosDFD
The ChronosDFD is a high-performance digital frequency-domain (DFD) spectrometer designed for rapid and precise fluorescence lifetime measurements, even in complex decay systems. Engineered for efficiency, the system delivers accurate lifetime data in under one second for routine samples, making it ideal for both high-throughput environments and advanced research applications.
At the core of the ChronosDFD is a T-format optical geometry that enables simultaneous acquisition across two emission channels, enhancing data quality and experimental flexibility. The system supports a wide range of excitation sources, including modulated and pulsed laser diodes, supercontinuum lasers, and multiphoton lasers, allowing users to tailor configurations to diverse experimental needs.
Fully automated operation streamlines workflow and ensures reproducibility. Users can easily define custom acquisition protocols and run experiments with minimal intervention, freeing time for analysis and interpretation.
The instrument is powered by Vinci Multidimensional Fluorescence Spectroscopy software, a robust and intuitive Windows-based platform that integrates acquisition, visualization, and analysis within a single environment. Vinci supports a comprehensive suite of measurements, including excitation and emission spectra, polarization and anisotropy, synchronous luminescence, fast and slow kinetics, fluorescence lifetimes, and rotational correlation times. It also enables multidimensional datasets spanning wavelength, time, temperature, polarization, and lifetime domains.
Data are stored in accessible ASCII format with full experimental metadata, ensuring transparency and compatibility with external workflows. Vinci’s analysis capabilities include spectral manipulation, smoothing, corrections, derivatives, and integration, along with advanced fitting routines for multi-exponential and non-exponential decay models, lifetime distributions, and rotational dynamics. Users can also implement custom analysis models with χ² minimization for specialized applications.
Advanced visualization tools provide interactive 2D and 3D plotting, color mapping of user-defined functions, and full control over zooming and rotation. Publication-ready graphics can be exported in standard formats for seamless reporting and presentation.
Key Features of ChronosDFD
Frequency Domain Measurements
Maximum Sensitivity
Fully Automated
Integration of External Devices
Upgradeable
- Flexible instrument configuration with a variety of light sources (laser diodes, LEDs and Ti:Sapphire laser)
- A compact footprint and short optical path length for maximum sensitivity and efficient light coupling into the sample
- Second to picosecond lifetime measurement capabilities
- Full automation of instrument components including: cuvette holder, polarizers, shutters, filterwheel, monochromators and stirrers
- PC-controlled integration of temperature path, titrator, stopped-flow apparatus and pressure pump
- Upgradable to a full steady-state instrument
- T-format and parallel beam optical design for fast and precise polarization measurements
- Powered by Vinci-Multidimensional Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Key Characteristics of Data Acquisition via Frequency-domain with ChronosDFD
- Fluorescence lifetime is calculated from two measureable parameters: phase angle and modulation
- Is a faster and less artifact-prone
- Allows one step measurements of anisotropy decays (rotational correlation times)
- Is better at resolving short lifetime contributions
- Is the method of choice for lifetime-based sensing and real-time measurements because of high sampling rates in the millisecond time scale
The Data is Clear!
Fluorescein in Propylene Glycol
Frequency-domain anisotropy decays (differential polarized phase angle and amplitude ratio) of fluorescein in propylene glycol measured on ChronosDFD using an excitation wavelength of 470 nm (Xenon arc lamp). The emission was collected using a 530 longpass filter. Calculated values for θ = 5.3 ns with R0 = 0.40 and τ = 4 ns, T = 27-28°C.
BodipyFL in Water
Frequency responses (phase and modulation) of BodipyFL in water acquired on ChronosDFD using a 471 nm laser diode. The emission was collected through a 520 longpass filter. The data is best fitted with a single exponential decay time of 5.87 ns (χ2 = 0.97).Product Specifications for ChronosDFD
Light Source
- Laser diodes (nm): 370, 405, 436, 473, 635, 690, 780, 830
- LEDs (nm): 280, 300, 335, 345, 460, 500, 520
- Pulsed Lasers: Supercontinuum, Ti:Sapphire, Pulsed Laser Diodes
Focusing & Collection Geometry
- Parallel beam design for precise polarization measurements
Polarizers
- UV grade Glan-Thompson with L/A=2.0
Detectors
- Fast PMT
- hybrid PMT
- APD
Detection Modes
- Photon counting electronics
Wavelength Range
- 200 nm to 1700 nm (detector dependent)
Max Counts Range
- Up to 80 million counts/s (using hybrid detectors)
Lifetime Measurements Range
- 10-12 s to 1 s
Operating System
- Windows 11
Power Requirements
- Universal power input: 110 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 400 VAC
Dimensions (mm)
- 540 (L) x 425 (W) x 235 (H)
Weight (kg)
- 25
Example Configuration for ChronosDFD
Product Accessories for ChronosDFD
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Two-Cuvette Sample Compartment
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Three-Cuvette Sample Compartment
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One-Cuvette Peltier Sample Compartment
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Four-Cuvette, Peltier-Controlled Sample Compartment
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Variable-Angle, Front Surface Sample Compartment
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Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Flow Cell
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Absorption Measurements Accessory
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High-Pressure Cell System
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Microwell Plate Reader
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Integrating Sphere
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Dewar Flask
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Cryostat
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Fiber Optics
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Single Syringe Titrator
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Double Syringe Titrator
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Polarizers
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Laser Diodes
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Stopped-Flow Packages for ISS Spectrofluorimeters
Product Software for ChronosDFD
Vinci
A comprehensive multidimensional fluorescence spectroscopy software program designed to enhance the capabilities and performance of ISS spectrofluorometers.
Learn MoreProduct Resources
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Anisotropy Decay Measurements
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Fluorescence Basic Instrumentation
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Fluorescence Lifetime
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Fluorescence Polarization
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Fluorescence Spectroscopy
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Long-Wavelength Polarization Standards
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Measurement of Fluorescence Quantum Yields on ISS Instrumentation Using Vinci
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Polarization Measurements: Parallel vs. Non-Parallel Beam Geometry
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Phasor Plots for the Analysis of Time-resolved Fluorescence
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What is Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF)?
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A Critical Comparison of Xenon Lamps
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