Cross delay line detectors for high time resolution astronomical polarimetry and biological fluorescence imaging

Ground based high time resolution astronomical polarimetry, imaging, and biological time-resolved molecular fluorescence lifetime imaging require specialized detectors. Photon counting detectors that combine high spatial resolution imaging with fast event timing capability for these uses have been a significant technical challenge. We have developed a high-temporal and spatial resolution, high-throughput sealed tube microchannel plate detector with electronic readout as tool for these applications. The design is based on a 25 mm diameter S20 photocathode followed by a microchannel plate stack, read out by a cross delay line anode with timing and imaging electronics. The detector supports 500 kHz global count rate, 10 kHz local count rate, 100 ps timing resolution and 40 /spl mu/m spatial resolution. We describe the performance of the detector, as well as imaging results obtained with quantum dots and live cells.