Non-orthogonal particle detection systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A particle detection system comprising:
- a flow cell for containing a fluid flowing through said flow cell in a flow direction;
a source for generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, said source positioned to direct said beam through said flow cell, wherein particles contained within said fluid interact with said beam, thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; and
a two-dimensional detector positioned in optical communication with said flow cell for receiving at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation, wherein said two-dimensional detector is positioned non-orthogonal to said flow direction.
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Abstract
Described herein is a particle detection system capable of spatially resolving the interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Using a specific electromagnetic beam cross sectional shape and orientation, the detection sensitivity of a particle detection system can be improved. Also provided are methods for detecting and sizing particles in a manner that has low background signal and allows for spatially resolving the scattering or emission of electromagnetic radiation from particles.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A particle detection system comprising:
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a flow cell for containing a fluid flowing through said flow cell in a flow direction; a source for generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, said source positioned to direct said beam through said flow cell, wherein particles contained within said fluid interact with said beam, thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; and a two-dimensional detector positioned in optical communication with said flow cell for receiving at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation, wherein said two-dimensional detector is positioned non-orthogonal to said flow direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of detecting particles, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing particles in a fluid having a flow direction; passing a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis through said fluid, wherein an angle between said major axis and said flow direction is non-orthogonal and wherein said particles interact with said beam thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; and detecting at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation with a two-dimensional detector, thereby detecting said particles. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of spatially resolving an interaction of particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing particles suspended within a fluid flowing in a flow direction; passing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through said fluid, wherein said beam has a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis and wherein an angle between said major axis and said flow direction is non-orthogonal and wherein said particles interact with said beam thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; and directing at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation onto a two-dimensional detector, thereby spatially resolving said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation in a first direction parallel to a propagation axis of said beam and in a second direction parallel to said major axis of said cross sectional profile of said beam. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of sizing a particle, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a particle suspended within a fluid flowing in a flow direction through a flow cell; passing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through said fluid, wherein said beam has a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis and wherein an angle between said major axis and said flow direction is non-orthogonal and wherein said particle interacts with said beam thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; imaging at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation onto a two-dimensional detector; determining an intensity of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation imaged onto said two-dimensional detector; and comparing said intensity of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation imaged onto said two-dimensional detector with one or more threshold reference values, thereby determining a size of said particle. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification