Emission Wavelength Dependence of Flourescence Lifetimes of Bacteriological Spores

Abstract

Concern about biological terror has increased greatly in the 21st century, and correspondingly, so has the need for accurate detection and identification of biological hazards, such as B. anthracis. Optical techniques have been shown to be useful for this purpose1,2,3,4. Use of fluorescence lifetimes as a function of emission wavelength for different materials using point detection methods appears to be an additional viable option. Although the lifetimes range only between 2 and 6 nanoseconds, most materials that were tested were distinguishable. A preliminary database has been compiled for use in a possible future detection system; single-blind tests of unknown materials confirmed the usefulness of the database.