We employ a 32-anode photomultiplier tube (PMT) in a fluorescence detection system and demonstrate its ability to record broad fluorescence spectra at frame rates in excess of 1.4×103 Hz, which is 56× faster than the frame rate of an intensified charge coupled device detector. The multi-anode PMT has single-photon detectable sensitivity. A new data acquisition and processing system for the multi-anode PMT, together with the system-controlling software, has been developed. The performance characteristics of the fluorescence detection system, including the data rate capability, dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and crosstalk among the different anodes, are reported. The 32-anode PMT and acquisition system are suitable for a real-time, field-portable, multichannel optical analyzer.

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