PicoQuant Launches Solira: A New Instrument in Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Microscopy

PicoQuant, a high-end optoelectronic instrumentation developer, has officially announced the launch of Solira, a new microscope designed for time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and comprehensive materials characterization. The system made its world debut this week at the E-MRS Spring Meeting 2026 in Strasbourg, France, where it is currently being showcased to the international scientific community at booths 67/68.^1,2

What is Time-Resolved Photoluminescence?

Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is a spectroscopy technique that measures how a material’s light emission decays over time after being hit by a pulse of light.^1–4 It reveals the excited-state dynamics in materials, and it is often used in materials science.⁴

What are the current challenges materials scientists face and how does Solira address them?

Currently, modern materials science is tackling complex samples. As a result, researchers and scientists in this field are requiring that the analytical instruments they use integrate spatial, temporal, and spectral data to fully understand the behavior of next-generation samples.¹

According to PicoQuant, Solira addresses these requirements by combining several advanced methodologies into a single, highly configurable platform. Beyond standard TRPL measurements, the system enables TRPL imaging, carrier diffusion mapping, and correlation measurements, providing a holistic view of photophysical processes within a single instrument.¹

According to the company, what are the benefits of Solira?

According to PicoQuant, their new modular upright microscope is specifically engineered to support the investigation of a wide array of advanced material systems, including semiconductors, perovskites, nanomaterials, LEDs, and quantum emitters.¹ By offering this architecture, which PicoQuant describes as versatile, Solira allows researchers to transition between different measurement modes and experimental conditions without the need for multiple standalone systems.¹

In addition, the company believes that Solira has the necessary sensitivity and precision that scientists and researchers require in their TRPL instruments. Solira is designed to detect weak emission signals and capture extremely fast photophysical events.¹ The system also features highly flexible excitation and detection configurations to suit diverse research needs.¹ It can be equipped with up to eight laser channels, providing a broad range of excitation wavelengths from 355 nm to 1064 nm.¹

Complementing this is a detector suite with spectral sensitivity spanning from 400 nm to 1550 nm, which ensures that researchers can reliably characterize samples across the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectrum.¹

Another aspect to Solira is making sure that the instrument is capable of being precise in its measurements. To accomplish this goal, the company used its time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and time-tagging electronics.¹ This technology provides picosecond timing resolution, which is essential for studying intricate charge carrier dynamics, recombination pathways, and the specific behavior of single-emitters.¹

The introduction of Solira is an expansion of PicoQuant’s portfolio, bridging the gap between specialized spectroscopy and versatile microscopy. Whether investigating the efficiency of new solar cell materials or the fundamental properties of quantum photonics, Solira was designed to help researchers map complex photophysical processes.¹

What is PicoQuant?

PicoQuant is a Berlin-based company that was founded in 1996 and headquartered in the Berlin-Adlershof science and technology park.² The company specializes specifically in single photon counting applications. The company’s extensive product range includes picosecond pulsed diode lasers, ultra-fast time taggers, and super-resolution fluorescence microscopes.² Currently, PicoQuant has a global team of over 125 professionals, all of whom work toward the company’s mission of providing advanced tools for researchers worldwide.

To learn more about PicoQuant, you can reach out to Nicole Saritas, Marketing Communications. The contact information is below:

Tel.: +49-30-1208820-607

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.picoquant.com

References

1. PicoQuant, Solira: Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Microscopy. PicoQuant. Available at: https://www.picoquant.com/products/microscope-systems/solira/ (accessed 2026-05-27).
2. PicoQuant, About Us. PicoQuant. Available at: https://www.picoquant.com/about/ (accessed 2026-05-27).
3. Nevin, A.; Cesaratto, A.; Bellei, S.; et al. Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy and Imaging: New Approaches to the Analysis of Cultural Heritage and Its Degradation. Sensors (Basel). 2014, 14 (4), 6338–6355. DOI: 10.3390/s140406338
4. PicoQuant, Time-Resolved Photoluminescence (TRPL). PicoQuant. Available at: https://www.picoquant.com/applications-methods/trpl/ (accessed 2026-05-27).