Fluorescence lifetime extraction algorithm based on multiple signal classification

The multiple signal classification algorithm has been widely used in array signal processing for direction-of-arrival estimation. In this reported work, this algorithm has been applied, for the first time to our knowledge, to estimate fluorescence lifetimes for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to test its performance compared with the previously reported integral equation method, the centre-of-mass method and the phasor method. Simulation results show that the multiple signal classification algorithm can achieve comparable or better results than the others. More importantly, it can easily resolve multi-exponential decays.