Supplementary Figure 2: NLE versus MLE

Comparison of the distribution of τ values of 20,000 pixels using the NLE (orange) or MLE (green) estimation model obtained from an image of fluorescein standard solution, Imax being higher than 103 (panel A) or lower than 103 (panel B). When the Imax is higher than 103 the results are similar; the histograms obtained using either NLE or MLE are centred around 4.3 ns (mean value of 4.30 +/- 0.08 and 4.34 +/-0.07 with NLE and MLE respectively). In B, the values are clearly underestimated using the NLE estimation model (value centred on 4.0 +/-0.14 ns). Using the MLE model, the histogram is centred around 4.31 +/-0.21 ns. We have to note the higher dispersion of the values in B than in A. Ensure not to underestimate the value and carefully interpret the different values inside an object compared to the standard error.