Detection of scattered light from particles
US6760107B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N15/147
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improvement is provided for a system that identifies particles such as microorganisms in fluid by directing a laser beam (52) forwardly through a tiny detect zone (46) in the fluid and detecting the pattern of light scatter by a particle as it passes through the detect zone. The improvement includes a holographic optical element (60) positioned forward of the detect zone to intercept light scattered in multiple directions by the particle. The holographic optical element is divided into discrete areas, or sections, that each directs intercepted scattered light toward a selected photodetector (74, 90, 92) of a linear array (62) of photodetectors. A converging lens (106) reduces the required diffraction angles of the sections of the holographic optical element. This arrangement avoids the need to custom mount and connect numerous individual photocells, and enables simplified high speed readout of the photodetectors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.