High throughput compressive fluorescence lifetime imaging with a silicon photomultiplier detector

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful technique for studying biological processes. There exists a growing interest in developing strategies to enhance throughput and reduce acquisition time of FLIM systems, which commonly employ laser scanning excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) detection. In this work, we propose a wide-field FLIM microscope based on compressive sensing and high photon rate detection (beyond pile-up limit) based on a high-efficiency silicon photomultiplier detector as a single-pixel camera. We experimentally validate the capabilities of this design achieving 20 frames per second FLIM images on free-moving green algae sample.