Optical detection system with polarizing beamsplitter
US7471394B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/1486
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical detection system for use in flow cytometry or the like, which includes a polarizing beamsplitter 820 such as a Wollaston prism. A light source provides an input light beam to a flow stream, wherein the input light beam has a polarization direction. The particles in the flow stream may produce an output light beam that includes a polarized component and a depolarized component. The polarizing beamsplitter receives the output light beam, and provides a polarized light beam and a depolarized light beam to a pair of detectors. The pair of detectors provide a first output signal that corresponds to the polarized light beam and a second output signal that corresponds to the depolarized light beam. A controller or processor may use the first output signal and the second output signal to help identify/classify particles and/or particle characteristics in the flow stream.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.