Luminescence lifetime imaging using a cellphone camera with an electronic rolling shutter

Luminescence lifetime imaging systems are typically complex and expensive instruments targeting bench-top applications. We present a low-cost approach for video frame rate luminescence lifetime imaging on the microsecond scale based on a cellphone camera. The luminescence lifetime is mapped by measuring the phase shift of optical fringes captured by a camera with an electronic rolling shutter at 30 frames per second. Luminescence lifetime imaging is validated by observing a platinum(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorphenyl)-porphyrin (PtTFPP)/polystyrene film with a non-uniform lifetime distribution. The experimental results indicate a lifetime resolution of 580 ns when a lifetime of 22 µs is measured. This device is portable, low in cost, and shows potential in point-of-care diagnostic and environment applications that measure long-lifetime luminescence.