In this paper, we introduce a time-correlated single photon counting system and an efficient light-collection system for studying fluorescence emitters under high-vacuum conditions; the latter system has an immersion objective, and an ionic liquid is used as a refractive index matching medium. The ionic liquid is positioned in high vacuum. The time-correlated single photon counting system has modified photomultiplier tubes that act as photon detectors. The light-collection system is designed to be simple, compact, and easy to use. In order to verify the performance of these systems, the optical properties of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (CdSe/ZnS) and fluorescent dye molecules are studied as examples.

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2009.07.002