Abstract: A processor for lifetime-based unmixing in fluorescence microscopy is configured to acquire an image having a plurality of pixels, each pixel providing information on photon count and photon arrival times, generate a phasor plot that is a vector space representation of the image, partition the image into image segments, evaluate the image segments according to total photon counts of the corresponding subsets of pixels, and execute a lifetime classification by selecting an image segment having a largest total photon count, determining a region of interest in the image encompassing the image segment, determining a phasor subset in the phasor plot corresponding to the region of interest, and generating a lifetime class including a set of image segments corresponding to the phasor subset. A plurality of lifetime classes is generated by iteratively executing the lifetime classification. The processor is configured to perform lifetime-based unmixing using the life-time classes.

Abstract: A detector device for a microscope includes a multi-element photodetector having a plurality of photodetector elements arranged in a photodetector array. Each photodetector element is configured to output a detector signal upon receiving light. The plurality of photodetector elements is arranged in one or more photodetector groups. Each photodetector group has a signal combiner configured to combine the detector signals of the photodetector elements into a collective output signal of the photodetector group to reduce a dead time thereof. In a case of only one photodetector group, the multi-element photodetector includes an optical distributor configured to distribute the light across the photodetector group; or in a case of more than one photodetector group, the photodetector groups differ from each other with respect to a density at which the photodetector elements are arranged in the respective photodetector group.

Abstract: A processor for lifetime-based unmixing in fluorescence microscopy is configured to acquire an image having a plurality of pixels, each pixel providing information on photon count and photon arrival times, generate a phasor plot that is a vector space representation of the image, partition the image into image segments, evaluate the image segments according to total photon counts of the corresponding subsets of pixels, and execute a lifetime classification by selecting an image segment having a largest total photon count, determining a region of interest in the image encompassing the image segment, determining a phasor subset in the phasor plot corresponding to the region of interest, and generating a lifetime class including a set of image segments corresponding to the phasor subset. A plurality of lifetime classes is generated by iteratively executing the lifetime classification. The processor is configured to perform lifetime-based unmixing using the life-time classes.