Time-Domain Measurements

The unique properties of lanthanides as analytical luminophores may only be efficiently exploited when the measuring instrument has been especially designed for this particular purpose. Nowadays, many commercial plate fluorometers can be equipped for time-resolved measurements. However, not all of them perform to the limits of the luminophores: time-gating alone does not constitute an optimally sensitive measuring device but other factors such as the performance of optical components need also to be considered. The scope of this chapter is to underline these special, practical design requirements and solutions rather than give generic outlines on how fluorometers need to be built.