An accurate instrumental response function is needed to deconvolute fluorescence data obtained by time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) upon multi-photon excitation. Hitherto the response function was obtained by measuring Rayleigh scattering (RS) from colloidal solutions, as is also used in one-photon excited fluorescence. We show that hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS) provides a better choice for deconvolution of fluorescence decays, as obtained by TCSPC and two-photon excitation (TPE). The one- and two-photon response functions were monitored as RS and HRS from colloidal gold particles at 800 and 400 nm, respectively. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.