Open AccessDynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode arrays and deep learning processors
Author(s) -
Dong Xiao,
Zhenya Zang,
Natakorn Sapermsap,
Quan Wang,
Wujun Xie,
Yu Chen,
David Li
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.425663
Subject(s) - single photon avalanche diode , photon counting , cmos , fluorescence , avalanche diode , fluorophore , avalanche photodiode , optoelectronics , materials science , fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy , detector , throughput , computer science , gate array , photon , optics , physics , computer hardware , field programmable gate array , engineering , electrical engineering , voltage , telecommunications , breakdown voltage , wireless
Measuring fluorescence lifetimes of fast-moving cells or particles have broad applications in biomedical sciences. This paper presents a dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing (DFLS) system based on the time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) principle. It integrates a CMOS 192 × 128 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, offering an enormous photon-counting throughput without pile-up effects. We also proposed a quantized convolutional neural network (QCNN) algorithm and designed a field-programmable gate array embedded processor for fluorescence lifetime determinations. The processor uses a simple architecture, showing unparallel advantages in accuracy, analysis speed, and power consumption. It can resolve fluorescence lifetimes against disturbing noise. We evaluated the DFLS system using fluorescence dyes and fluorophore-tagged microspheres. The system can effectively measure fluorescence lifetimes within a single exposure period of the SPAD sensor, paving the way for portable time-resolved devices and shows potential in various applications.