CA1135971A - Radiant energy reradiating flow cell system and method - Google Patents
Radiant energy reradiating flow cell system and methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1135971A CA1135971A CA000342923A CA342923A CA1135971A CA 1135971 A CA1135971 A CA 1135971A CA 000342923 A CA000342923 A CA 000342923A CA 342923 A CA342923 A CA 342923A CA 1135971 A CA1135971 A CA 1135971A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- reflector
- radiant energy
- focal point
- axis
- reradiated
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N15/10—Investigating individual particles
- G01N15/14—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers
- G01N15/1434—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers using an analyser being characterised by its optical arrangement
- G01N15/1436—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers using an analyser being characterised by its optical arrangement the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/47—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N15/02—Investigating particle size or size distribution
- G01N15/0205—Investigating particle size or size distribution by optical means, e.g. by light scattering, diffraction, holography or imaging
- G01N15/0211—Investigating a scatter or diffraction pattern
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N15/10—Investigating individual particles
- G01N15/14—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers
- G01N15/1456—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals
- G01N15/1459—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals the analysis being performed on a sample stream
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N21/05—Flow-through cuvettes
- G01N2021/052—Tubular type; cavity type; multireflective
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/47—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
- G01N2021/4704—Angular selective
- G01N2021/4711—Multiangle measurement
- G01N2021/4716—Using a ring of sensors, or a combination of diaphragm and sensors; Annular sensor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N21/05—Flow-through cuvettes
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In an apparatus in which particles which may include biological cells are passed through an optical sensing zone to measure their spatial radiant energy distribution for the pur-pose of identifying and/or characterizing the particles or cells, a structure and method are provided for increasing the usefulness of a geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors such as a known assembly of generally concentric rings of such detectors usually including some wedge-shaped detectors. These are pro-vided in a generally planar form and the invention provides structure which captures radiant energy in a flow cell of a par-ticular type before projecting the energy to the detector. In particular an ellipsoid, paraboloid, hyperboloid or similar reflector which is symmetrical about its optical axis is utiliz-ed first to capture the radiant energy on angles which could include most forward and/or backward angles and all azimuthal angles and then deviating the same to the detector assembly mentioned. By moving the arrangement or assembly of detectors along the optical axis of the reflector the optimum distance is established for obtaining the greatest amount of information sought.
Although the assembly of photovoltaic detectors may thereafter be left in place, it is preferred to substitute for said assembly a second highly economical deviating or reflecting device capable of capturing the radiant energy which would other-wise have fallen on the sensitive plane of the assembly of photovoltaic detectors and deviating the same along a plurality of different spaced paths to independent photodetecting devices.
In an apparatus in which particles which may include biological cells are passed through an optical sensing zone to measure their spatial radiant energy distribution for the pur-pose of identifying and/or characterizing the particles or cells, a structure and method are provided for increasing the usefulness of a geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors such as a known assembly of generally concentric rings of such detectors usually including some wedge-shaped detectors. These are pro-vided in a generally planar form and the invention provides structure which captures radiant energy in a flow cell of a par-ticular type before projecting the energy to the detector. In particular an ellipsoid, paraboloid, hyperboloid or similar reflector which is symmetrical about its optical axis is utiliz-ed first to capture the radiant energy on angles which could include most forward and/or backward angles and all azimuthal angles and then deviating the same to the detector assembly mentioned. By moving the arrangement or assembly of detectors along the optical axis of the reflector the optimum distance is established for obtaining the greatest amount of information sought.
Although the assembly of photovoltaic detectors may thereafter be left in place, it is preferred to substitute for said assembly a second highly economical deviating or reflecting device capable of capturing the radiant energy which would other-wise have fallen on the sensitive plane of the assembly of photovoltaic detectors and deviating the same along a plurality of different spaced paths to independent photodetecting devices.
Description
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The basic concept of this invention which comprises the improvement of the usefulness of a known integral planar geomet-ric configuration of p~otovoltaic detectors whereby it is hiyh1y flexible and is rendered capable of measuring most forward or backward scattering angles and in all azimuths is independent of the two applications which are identified below.
In a preferred form of the invention, however, an arrange-ment is utilized by substitution for the integralplanargeometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors which enables the fabri-cation of a highly effective and economical device without the configuration. This preferred form of the invention utilizes teachings of the following patent applications: "Apparatus and Method for Measuring the Distribution of Radiant Energy Produced in Particle Investigation Systems", Serial No. 342,924 filed January 2, 1980 and "Apparatus and Method for Measuring Scatter~
ing of Light in Particle Detection Systems", United States Patent No. 4,286,876 granted September 1, 1981.
The applicants herein are the applicants in both of the above refexred to applications and both of the said applications together with this one are owned by the same assignee.
,, , ~, FIELD A~D B~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is concerned generally with the measure-ment of the spatial distribution of radiant energy such as that of reradiated light produced by scattering and fluorescence.
More particularl~ the invention is concerned with the measurement of the energy and direction of light flux or rays produced and reradiated or distributed by particles passing through an optical sensing zone whereby to enable the identification of the par-ticles and/or their characteristics.
One problem with known measurement systems (not includingthose which are disclosed in the said copending applications) is .. ~~ ~
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that they are limited considerably in the range of polar angles that can be measured. For the purposes of this discussion the optical axis of reradiation may be considered the line oP the incident light beam projected at a sensing zone where a particle intersects the same. Using conventional definitions, the polar angles are those defined by the angles of the optical axis with lines centered at the sensing zone or point and radiating ~rom that ~one, while the azimuthal angles are those measured around the optical axis.
One attempt has been made to evolve an arrangement w~ich can measure multiple angles by means of an integral, planar, geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors, but the prob-lem with this device is that it can only measure polar reradiat-ing angles from about 1 to somewhat less than 25. Any attempt to measure the energy distribution in most polar angles in the forward (0 to 90) and all angles in the backward direction relative to the sensing or scattering zone and the incidentlig~t direction including all azimuthal angles, fails because the sensitive area of the device is too small. ~his is because all of the photovoltaic elements which "see" the energy must be mounted on the same plane within the available space which is limited. Accordingly the utility of the device is limited.
The particular device which is referred to is in the form of a concentric ring and wedge photovoltaic detector. Ik is described in considerable detail in Patent 4,070,113 and in U.S.
Patent 3,689,772 and in two articles entitled "Light-Scattering Patterns of Iosolated Oligodendroglia" by R.~. Meyer, et al in The Journal of Histochemistry and CV~--h _l~try, Vol. 22, No. 7, pp 594-597, 1974 and a second article entitled "Gynecological Specimen Analysis by Multiangle Light Scattering in a Flow System"
by G. C. Salzman et al in the same journal, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp 308-314, 1976. In these articles reference is made to the .,, ~3~i9~7~
same or a similar detector device which is commerciallyavailable and which is identified as a Recognition Systems, Inc. detector (RSI).
The configuration of detect:ors which has been mentioned above will be referred to hereinafl:er as a pLanar configuration of detectors. As known at this time the one mentioned in the above references is expensive, difi-icult to manufacture, deli-cate, inefficient and slow-acting because of its relatively large area considering the number of detectors which it carries.
The inefficient optical design results in a poor signal to noise ratio.
Notwithstanding these disadvantages, such a configura-tion and in general any radiant-to-electrical energy transducers configured in a geometric assemblage which is planar are and can be useful within the field they occupy, hut according to the invention herein, this usefulness is materially increased. The planar configuration of detectors at the minimum can serve the purpose of helping to find a location at which some desired set of polar reradiating angles are the optimum for a given optical -system and for a particular family or type of particles being studied.
Once an optimum position has been achieved in a given system, the planar configuration of photovoltaic detectors may be removed from the system and a more economical device sub-stituted therefor, this latter device comprising a composite deviating lens or reflector which is formed of a large number of elements such as prisms each oriented to deviate or reflect a certain geometric portion of the reradiated energy area being studied to different and spaced apart commonly available and highly economica.L photodetecting devices such as small photo-cells. The measurements from all of the photocells give the information desired.
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Prior art patents which may be of interest are:
U.K. Patent 137,637 of 1920 to Pollard a~d Frommer U.S. Patent 3,248,551.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for measuring reradiated radiant energy which has been scattered or reradiated by Eluorescence which includes a flow cell in which a particle or a biological cell is passed through a sensing zone which additionally comprises the focus of a reflector on the interior thereof. The reflector may comprise a concave geometric shape symmetrical around its axis and adapt-ed to capture reradiated light (e.g. scattered or fluorescent) from wide and narrow polar angles and all azimuthal angles and to project the same out of the reflector. The reflector is a shape of revolution of a geometric law about its optical axis.
As used herein light means any e~ectromagnetic radiation whichis capable of being detected by transducers of the type utilized in this art.
Means are provided for bringing the particles, cells or scatterers as they are often called herein, into the reflector as for example in a li~uid ~low, the reflector interior being enclosed and having a compatible liquid sealed therein.
The rays of light projected by the reflector may be either focussed or directed without focussing onto an integral planar configuration of photovoltaic detectors of a construction known in the prior art thereby increasing the usefulness of that device.
One aspect of the invention provides for theconfigura-tion of detectors to be located at a place along the axis of the geometric reflector which provides the most favourable informa- ~-tion in the particle system being investigated. Another aspect has the configuration movable to find such a place. A third aspect teaches that once the best location has been found, a different structure is substituted for the configuration which .s.~"
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comprises a composite lens or a composite re~lector which cap-tures the rays of reradiated light and either deviates them or reflects them in a plurality of different directions relative to the axis of the geometric reflector. An individual photocell of economical construction is then located to intercept each respective one of these rays and the investigation is carried out by monitoring all of the photocells.
The apparatus may be used for fluorescent light measure- ;
ments by using filters to separate scattered and fluorescent light produced at the same sensing zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEIE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a light reradiating flow cell system constructed in accordance with the invention and using as an element thereof an integral planar coniguration of photovoltaic detectors;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the left hand por~ion of the system of Figure 1 but showing how a fresnel lens and individual photocells are substituted for the configuration of photovoltaic detectors of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but illustrating a form of the invention using a hyperboloidal reflector instead of an ellipsoidal reflector for certain speci-fic measurementst Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of a modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a simplified diagram of another form of the invention using a paraboloid;
Figure 6 is a simplified diagram of a form of the inven-tion for additionally measuring fluorescence; and Figure 7 is a simplified diagram of another form of the invention which is the same as Figure 6 but symmetrically `~
reversed about a dichloric mirror in order to permit the use ` ~'5- ' - 5 -~3~ 7~
of commercially more available mirrors.
MENTS
Basically the invention comprises a flow cell in which there are means for collecting radiant energy around the first focal zone where a parkicle or other small body, hereinafter called a scatterer, passes through a beam of light and causes secondary radiation from said particle; the collecting means causes a reflection of said secondary radiant energy to a second focal zone and to detector means capable of responding to at least one of several multiple angles of projected radiation. In one form, the detector means comprise a known concentric ring photovoltaic detector and it is adjuste~ along an axis which passes through both the first and second focal zones. The opti-mum position for detecting the desired informatlon from the scatterer ls used. In an lmproved ~orm, the detector means comprise a fresnel prismatic lens or other optical element of a composite nature which deviates or reflects the incident radiant energy flu~ in accordance with a plurality ofdifferentgeometric areas to different, spaced apart, independent, small, phototec-tor devices in a highly economical manner.
Other forms of the invention provide for back scattering.
In Figure 1 there is illustrated a flow cell system inwhich there is a source of light 12 which projects a beam 14 through a suitable optical train which is called op~ics 16 to a partial reflector 18 on the optical axis 20. Thepartial reflec-tor or beam splitter projects the incident light along a~is 20 at a reduced intensity, now designated 22, through the spherical closure window 24 of the flow cell 26 to the sensing zone 28.
Transmitted light passes undeflected through the beam spli~ter18 as shown at 19 to other uses.
The flow cell 26 can be constructed using conventional techniques for sealing and the like and it comprises a reflector ... ., . . . : . . ~ .
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29 that is a portion of an ellipsoid, having the window24sealed to its front and open end as at 30, having a rear window 32, an entering conduit 34 and a discharging conduit 36. The cell 26 is, filled with a fluid 38 that is compatible with the liquid which carries the particles and has the same index o refraction as that liquid. The particle source 40 moves the scatterers in the fluid mentioned to the entering conduit 34 from which they pass through the sensing zone 28 into the entrance of the discharging conduit 36 and pass into the reservoir 42. By techniques ~nown as sheath flow the fluid with scatterers may be caused to pass in a straight path across the sensing zone 28 and be discharged.
The beam of light 22 intersects the flow of scatterersat the sensing zone 28. That light not scattered plus that light scattered into small polar angles in the forward directions pass-es on through the window 32 into the light dump 44. Instead of such light dump there could be another dekecting system as dis-closed in the applications and patent referred to on page 3.
The sensing zone is chosen to be centered in the region of the first focal point of ellipsoid of which the reflector 29 is a part. The interior surface 46 of the reflector 29 ispolish-ed or mirrored and all light or radiant energy which originates at its focal point 28 will be reflected from the surface 46 to the second focal point 48 of the ellipsoid of which the reflec-tor 29 is a part. A typical ray of light is designated 50 and its path may be traced from the first focal point 28 upward and to the left to reflect from the surface 46 and then directly to the second focal point 48. ~ ;
All of the reflected rays of the reradiated energy from the reflector 29 are focussed at the focal point 48 and will thereafter (to the left of the point 48) diverge. An aperature 54, through which the radiant energy beams may pass and whichelimin-ates most stray light, is located in opaque barrier 52 and atthe ~3S~7~
focal point 48. The plane of the opaque barrier 52 i8 de.signat-ed 56, this being a plane which is normal to the axi~ 20 and the beam 22. It will be noted that the radius 58 of the spherical transparent window 24 which may be of glass is centered at the focal point 48 to eliminate any refractive bending in the beam 50 or any others which emerge from the reflector 29.
At a distance d from the plane 56 there is provided the planar configuration of detectors 60 which has previously been mentioned. The planar face 62 of the configuration 60 has the photosensitive elements and thls face 62 is parallel with the plane 56. Accordingly its several rings and wedges if it has such wedges, will respond to the portions of the radiant energy which fa.ll upon them, respectively. As will be noted, the angles which can be captured by the reflector surface 46 can be as large as 140 for example. By itself, as previously mentioned, a device such as 60 has only been capable of collecting scattering ang].es to a maximum of 25 or so. Thus, the detector 60 has had its utility increased. By virtue of the invention herein it is made capable of responding to many more scattering angles and providing much more lnformation than if it received the scatter-ing light directly from the sensing zone 2~ with no ellipsoidal reflector in place.
By moving the configuration 69 right and left through the medium of a motor 65 or the like as indicated by the double arrow 64 the optimum position can be obtained for determining the information desired. This, of course will depend upon the type of scatterers, what information is desired of them, etc.
Actually, by moving the configuration of detectors 60 over a range of the dimension d information can be obtained ~rom a variety of locations, keeping in mind, of course, that the largest scattering angle alling on the detector will decrease as the distance d is increased.
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Once a given course of investigation ls to be followed and the optimum dopt has been ascertained and the corresponding scattering or reradiating angles have been calculated, instead of leaving the planar configuration of detectors 60 in place, fresnel lens elements 66 and 69 (Figure 2) made up of portions of prismatlc wedges or segments or rings oriented in different directions relative to the axis ~0 and/or tilted relative to said axis 20 may be substituted for the device 60. The fresnel prismatic lens deviates the converging rays of radiant energy to different spaced apart photocells such as shown at 68, 70, 72 and 74. The latter are small, sensitive, economical elements easily obtained commercially and easily replaced. They can be separated by distances to prevent interference between them, often refarred to as "cross-talk". The rays of radiant energy projected from the reflector surface 46 (Figure 1) are focussed again at the second focal point 48 of the aperture 54 (Figure 2) and the typical ray 50 is directed at the fresnel prismatic lens 66. Just in front of this lens 66 a focussing lens 69 has been located for the purpose of converging the rays ~rom the reflect-or 29 before they impinge on the prismatic elements of the lens 66. The focussing lens 69 can be a conventional ground or mold-ed lens or could be a fresnel focussing lens as illustrated.
The concept of utilizing the type of prismatic lens 66 which has been described in connection with Figure 2 and the details and benefits thereof are disclosed ln the cases referred to on page 3.
Thus, an instrument can be built using the planar con-figuration 60 in which the detector is moved by some mechanical means 65 or even manually to provide flexibility; an instrument - ;
can be built in which the configuration 60 has been fixed in place after adjustment in the factory to a particular distance d for a specific purpose; an instrument can be huilt of the latter .. -- 9 -- . .
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type in which a very economical fresnel lens which has thee~uiva-lent function of the optimum arrangement has been substituted for the configuration 60 after the best location dopt has been deter-mined.
The exact mechanical construction of the components of the system lO may be left to those skilled in the art who would understand that the structure for assembling the flow cell 26 and its parts must provide for filling, bubble relief, etc.
It should be appreciated that the increased utility o the integral planar configuration o~ detectors 60 over that for which it is at the present used comes about by virtue of thefact that in the invention, each ring of the device 60 can correspond to a large range of scattering angles, certainly larger than the range of angles that is represented by the present conventional way of using the said device 60.
Back scattering angles can be measured in the apparatus 10 simply by disposing the light dump 44 below the mirror 18 at the location occupied by the optics 16 and light source 12 and by disposing the optics 16 and light source 12 where the light dump 44 is located in Figure 1. In this way, the beam 22 willhave its arrows reversed, light coming in by way of the window 32 and passing from right to left as viewed in Figure l. In all other respects the system lO will not be aItered. - ;
The system admits of variations and uses in addition to the one described above without departing from the basic concept of the invention. For example, the location of the light source ~ -12, optics 16 and mirror 18 need not be where shown but could be at a location bet:ween the plane 56 and the detector 62. This location is indicated at 76 in Figure 1, this being the line along which the beam 14 would be projected toward the previous position of the mirror 18. The mirror 18 need not be fully reflecting but could be semi-transparent. Fluorescent light ~L3~
reradiation can be measured with the apparatus 10 if slightly modified as explained hereinafter.
In Figure 3 there is illustrated a system 100 in which the object of the apparatus is to investigate scattering angles closer to the forward direction than can be obtained through the use of the ellipsoidal reflector 29 of Figure 1. Th~ flow cell 126 in this instance is comprised of a hyperboloidal reflector 129 whose axis is designated 120 and having a first focal point 128 and its second or virtual focal point at 128'. As in the case of the cell 26, the interlor o~ the cell 126 is provided with a fluid 138 which may be held in place by a glass or other material transparent spherical closure 124 who~e radius of curvature 158 is centered on the virtual focal point 128'. Par-ticle source 140 provides the scatterers in a liquid which flows into the interior of the cell 126 by way of the entrance conduit 134 through the sensing zone-focal point 128 and out by way of the discharge conduit 136 to the reservoir 142. :
Light from the source 112 is directed as a beam 114 to ~:
the beam shaping optics 116 and thence as the beam 122 to the folding mirror 118 on the axis 120 through the front of the - ~
closure 124 to the sensing zone-focal point 128 and out the win- . -dow 132 to the beam dump 144. Typical light rays or fluxes resulting from the scattering are shown at 150 and 151 and it will be noted that these diverge, rather than coverge, giving information on the type of polar angles mentioned above, thatis, .~;~
smaller forward angles.
These beams, as the others which are not shown, are r~
captured directly in Figure 3 by the configuration of detectors ` :.
160 which can be moved in the direction of the arrow 164 by a motor such as 165 or by manual means to find the best location along the axis 120 relative to the cell 126~ When the optimum distance has been located, collecting optics, a fresnel lens . .
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and individual photocalls may be substituted for the device 160.
It will be noted that the direction along which the beams of scattered light 150 and 151 extend are extensions of lines 150' and 151' respectlvely from the virtual focal point 128'. In this case no stray-light suppressing aperture 54 is used.
In the system 200 of Figure 4, the light flux or rays emerging from the hyperboloidal reflector 229 are not used in their diverging form but are focussed 50 that they may be passed through an aperture for suppressing the stray light before being measured. Thus, the light rays 250 and 251 which are typical of scattered light reradiated from the sensing zone-focal point 228 are captured by the lens 280, focussed on the aperture 254 provided by the opaque barrier or iris 252 at the ~ocal point 248 and then are brought to the device 260 which is the same integral geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors which was described above. One good choice of the distance of the lens 280 from the focal point 228~ on the axis 220 is twice the focal length of the lens. Then the aperture 254 will be located at the focal point 248, which is twice the focal length of the lens 280 from the lens.
Again, as in this structure, it is feasible to have the device 260 movable, to adjust it for optimum dlstance dopt from the aperture 254 and to substitute collection optics and a fres-nel lens or a composite mirror in its place.
Instead of the lens 66, in which the light or radiant energy passes through ~he deviating means, it is feasible to use ;
a composite mirror of multiple re~lecting surfaceswhichreceives the beams of light and reflects them to a plurality of spaced -individual locations so that the separate photocells may be located thereat.
In Figure 6 there is illustrated the application of the invention to a system 300 in which fluorescent reradiation is ~, :~35~
measured in addition to reradiation ~y scattering. In this case there is a flow cell 326 which is basically built out of an ellipsoidal reflector 3~6 but of course this could be any con-figuration of reflector of the types explained herein, The reflector 346 llas a window 332 through which the light beam 322 from the light source 312and optics 316 enters. The light source 312 could be a sultable laser and the beam 314 therefrom is applied to beam-shaping optics 316.
The beam 322 passes through the first focal point 328 of the reflector 346 where it encounters particles or cells which are entering the reflector along the path 334 from the particle source 340. At the first focal point 328 light will be reradiat-ed in accordance with the character of the particle and this light will be reflected from the reflector 346 towards thesecond focal point 34~ which lies in the plane 356 normal to theoptical axis 320. A typical ray is lndicated at 350 and this ray is shown striking the interior of the reflector 346 at the top thereof in the view and being deflected tGward a mirror 318 which intercepts the ray~
The mirror 318 which is here chosen is a dichroic ele-ment in that light is transmitted or reflected according to the wavelength of that light. The ray 350 includes componentswhich are fluorescent and other components of visible light. The ;~
dichroic mirror 318 is constructed to have substantially no effect upon light of the laser wavelength and hence those com-ponents of the beam 350 pass through the mirror 318 without deflection albeit somewhat diminished. These move toward the second focal point 348 as the ray 350' and impinge on the sensi-tive surface 362 of the integral planar configuration of photo-voltaic detectors 360 which is the equivalent of the prior art device 60 previously described.
The direct rays of light at 322 pass into a light dump ~ ;r~ ~ 13 -`~ :.
3S~
344 after being reflected by small mirror 372.
The light rays which focus at the second focal point 348 are purified by the opaque barrier or iris 352 which lies in the plane 356 that is normal to the axis 320 and passes through the second focal point 348. Light passes the barrier 352 by way of a center aperture 35A in the barrier. Ayain the distance d be-tween the plane 356 and the face 362 can be adjustedbysuitable means to be optimum and when this is achieved a collector and fresnel prism element with separate photodetectors substituted therefor as explained.
~ hose components of the ray 350 which have wavelengths to which the action of the dichroic mirror 318 will become effec-tive are reflected by the mirror as the ray 350" to focus at the point 357 along the axis 320~ which axis is shown perpendicular to the axis 320. At the focal point 357 there is a purifying opaque barrier 353 with an aperture 355 so that the clear ray extends below the barrier. It is there intercepted byasuitable transducer such as a photomultiplier tube or element 361 so that measurements can be made and compared against known information to identify or characterize the particle. The combined informa-tion from the device 360 ~or any system of fresnel lens and photodetectors substituted therefor~ and the transducer 361 can be channeled to a computer 370 where previously knowninformation is stored and against which the new information can be compared.
The rays such as 350' which pass through the dichroic mirror 318 will have less radiant energy than the original rays ;
350. Accordingly it is desired for maximum information to have as sensitive a detector at the position of the device 360 as feasible. The cases referred to on page 3 teaches how this can be done by substituting the prismatic fresnel lens system and its detectors for the low sensitivity device 360.
Figure 6 has been included to illustrate apparatus based ~359~
on the principle of collecting scattered and fluorescent light separately through the use of a dichroic mirror. To facilitate explanation, the version in which the scattered light is trans~
mitted and the fluorescent light is reflected is shown. As a practical matter, however, due to manufacturing problems of the dichroic mirror, the inverse arrangement, in which fluorescent light is transmitted while the scattered light is reflected, is actually the preferred embodiment. This latter is illustrated in Figure 7 and is identical to Figure 6 except for the t~ans-position of the respective elements.
In the course of the explanations given herein and in the claims, reference is made to focal points and to specific geo-metric configurations of reflectors such as ellipsoids, parabo-loids, etc. The manufacture of instruments which embody and use all of the benefits and advantages of the invention would call for providlng components which are formed with precision;
however, fox economy the configurations are certainly capable of being formed as approximations. Thuswhen speci~ic configura-tions are mentioned it should be taken to mean that in addition ; `
to the precise geometric configurations substantial and/or approximate approaches to such configurations are intended to be included herein. Focal points may not always be precisely a point but may be a sort of zone but will still give the desired results. Reference to two focal points in the discussion and claims is not intended to exclude paraboloidal reflectors inas-much as the second focal point thereof is considered to be at infinity.
Such a paraboloidal reflector is illustrated in connec-tion with the apparatus 400 of Figure 5. This apparatus in-cludes a flow cell 426 which has a parabolic reflector 446 whose front opening is closed off by a suitable closure 424 which is planar because the reradiated radiant energy which emerges from :
~L~IL3~97~
the reflector 446 emanates along lines which are parallel tothe optical axis 420. The light source 412 in this instance is behind the reflector 446 as shown and it projects a beam of incident radiant energy along the path 422 toward the folding mirror and onto the light dump 444, this beam of incident ra-diant energy passing through the sensing zone which coincides with the focal point 428 of the parabloid 446. Particles ori~
ginating at the source 440 move along the path to the focal point 428 and at that point which comprises the sensing zone they intercept the beam 422 and reradiate some of the radiank energy of said beam. The rays move outward of the focal point 428 as for example along the line 450, engage the inner surface of the reflector 446 and thereafter are projected parallelto the axis 420, as stated above, toward what may be considered the second focal point of the reflector 446 at infinity.
In order to utilize the benefits of the invention, the groups of rays emerging from the front of the reflector 446 are captured by a focussing lens 469 which may be of conventional : ~.
construction or fresnel construction and diverted along the , lines such as 450~ to another focal point at 448. This focal : ~
point is located relative to the reflector 446 in accordance .
with the optical specifications of the lens 469 (or a lens sys-tem used in lieu thereof) rather than as a result of the geo- `
metric law which defines the paraboloid~
At this focal point 448 there is an opaque barrier or ~: ;
iris 452 having a central aperture 454, these both lying on a plane 456 which is normal to the axis 420. At a distance d from the plane 456 there is located a measuring device which com-prises an integral planar configuration of photovoltaic detec-tors 460 whose sensitive surface is in the front plane thereof at 462. The ray groups 450' emerging from the reflector 446 and focussed at the focal point 448 diverge afterbeingpurified:
` :"
: :: . . .: . . . . .
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of stray light at the focal point by the barrier 452 andimpinge against the sensitive surface 462 of the measuriny device 460.
It will be recognlzed that this measuring device is the same as those which have been referred to herein and identified as 60, 160, 260 and 360.
Again in this case, the measuring device 460 may be moved back and forth parallel to the ax:ls 420 but without changingitS
disposition relative to the axis to vary the distance d. Once the optimum distance and hence the optlmum polar angles have been determined, the known measuring device 460 may be removed and the measuring devices which are disclosed in the copending applications for increased sensitivity and better data may be substituted for collecting light at these angles. ,~
Many other vaxiatlons are capable of being made without departing ~rom the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The basic concept of this invention which comprises the improvement of the usefulness of a known integral planar geomet-ric configuration of p~otovoltaic detectors whereby it is hiyh1y flexible and is rendered capable of measuring most forward or backward scattering angles and in all azimuths is independent of the two applications which are identified below.
In a preferred form of the invention, however, an arrange-ment is utilized by substitution for the integralplanargeometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors which enables the fabri-cation of a highly effective and economical device without the configuration. This preferred form of the invention utilizes teachings of the following patent applications: "Apparatus and Method for Measuring the Distribution of Radiant Energy Produced in Particle Investigation Systems", Serial No. 342,924 filed January 2, 1980 and "Apparatus and Method for Measuring Scatter~
ing of Light in Particle Detection Systems", United States Patent No. 4,286,876 granted September 1, 1981.
The applicants herein are the applicants in both of the above refexred to applications and both of the said applications together with this one are owned by the same assignee.
,, , ~, FIELD A~D B~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is concerned generally with the measure-ment of the spatial distribution of radiant energy such as that of reradiated light produced by scattering and fluorescence.
More particularl~ the invention is concerned with the measurement of the energy and direction of light flux or rays produced and reradiated or distributed by particles passing through an optical sensing zone whereby to enable the identification of the par-ticles and/or their characteristics.
One problem with known measurement systems (not includingthose which are disclosed in the said copending applications) is .. ~~ ~
~ a~3~i97 ;
that they are limited considerably in the range of polar angles that can be measured. For the purposes of this discussion the optical axis of reradiation may be considered the line oP the incident light beam projected at a sensing zone where a particle intersects the same. Using conventional definitions, the polar angles are those defined by the angles of the optical axis with lines centered at the sensing zone or point and radiating ~rom that ~one, while the azimuthal angles are those measured around the optical axis.
One attempt has been made to evolve an arrangement w~ich can measure multiple angles by means of an integral, planar, geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors, but the prob-lem with this device is that it can only measure polar reradiat-ing angles from about 1 to somewhat less than 25. Any attempt to measure the energy distribution in most polar angles in the forward (0 to 90) and all angles in the backward direction relative to the sensing or scattering zone and the incidentlig~t direction including all azimuthal angles, fails because the sensitive area of the device is too small. ~his is because all of the photovoltaic elements which "see" the energy must be mounted on the same plane within the available space which is limited. Accordingly the utility of the device is limited.
The particular device which is referred to is in the form of a concentric ring and wedge photovoltaic detector. Ik is described in considerable detail in Patent 4,070,113 and in U.S.
Patent 3,689,772 and in two articles entitled "Light-Scattering Patterns of Iosolated Oligodendroglia" by R.~. Meyer, et al in The Journal of Histochemistry and CV~--h _l~try, Vol. 22, No. 7, pp 594-597, 1974 and a second article entitled "Gynecological Specimen Analysis by Multiangle Light Scattering in a Flow System"
by G. C. Salzman et al in the same journal, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp 308-314, 1976. In these articles reference is made to the .,, ~3~i9~7~
same or a similar detector device which is commerciallyavailable and which is identified as a Recognition Systems, Inc. detector (RSI).
The configuration of detect:ors which has been mentioned above will be referred to hereinafl:er as a pLanar configuration of detectors. As known at this time the one mentioned in the above references is expensive, difi-icult to manufacture, deli-cate, inefficient and slow-acting because of its relatively large area considering the number of detectors which it carries.
The inefficient optical design results in a poor signal to noise ratio.
Notwithstanding these disadvantages, such a configura-tion and in general any radiant-to-electrical energy transducers configured in a geometric assemblage which is planar are and can be useful within the field they occupy, hut according to the invention herein, this usefulness is materially increased. The planar configuration of detectors at the minimum can serve the purpose of helping to find a location at which some desired set of polar reradiating angles are the optimum for a given optical -system and for a particular family or type of particles being studied.
Once an optimum position has been achieved in a given system, the planar configuration of photovoltaic detectors may be removed from the system and a more economical device sub-stituted therefor, this latter device comprising a composite deviating lens or reflector which is formed of a large number of elements such as prisms each oriented to deviate or reflect a certain geometric portion of the reradiated energy area being studied to different and spaced apart commonly available and highly economica.L photodetecting devices such as small photo-cells. The measurements from all of the photocells give the information desired.
~;'~
~ ~ 3~t~
Prior art patents which may be of interest are:
U.K. Patent 137,637 of 1920 to Pollard a~d Frommer U.S. Patent 3,248,551.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for measuring reradiated radiant energy which has been scattered or reradiated by Eluorescence which includes a flow cell in which a particle or a biological cell is passed through a sensing zone which additionally comprises the focus of a reflector on the interior thereof. The reflector may comprise a concave geometric shape symmetrical around its axis and adapt-ed to capture reradiated light (e.g. scattered or fluorescent) from wide and narrow polar angles and all azimuthal angles and to project the same out of the reflector. The reflector is a shape of revolution of a geometric law about its optical axis.
As used herein light means any e~ectromagnetic radiation whichis capable of being detected by transducers of the type utilized in this art.
Means are provided for bringing the particles, cells or scatterers as they are often called herein, into the reflector as for example in a li~uid ~low, the reflector interior being enclosed and having a compatible liquid sealed therein.
The rays of light projected by the reflector may be either focussed or directed without focussing onto an integral planar configuration of photovoltaic detectors of a construction known in the prior art thereby increasing the usefulness of that device.
One aspect of the invention provides for theconfigura-tion of detectors to be located at a place along the axis of the geometric reflector which provides the most favourable informa- ~-tion in the particle system being investigated. Another aspect has the configuration movable to find such a place. A third aspect teaches that once the best location has been found, a different structure is substituted for the configuration which .s.~"
.... ~ . . -, ~ . :
i97~
comprises a composite lens or a composite re~lector which cap-tures the rays of reradiated light and either deviates them or reflects them in a plurality of different directions relative to the axis of the geometric reflector. An individual photocell of economical construction is then located to intercept each respective one of these rays and the investigation is carried out by monitoring all of the photocells.
The apparatus may be used for fluorescent light measure- ;
ments by using filters to separate scattered and fluorescent light produced at the same sensing zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEIE DRAWINGS
.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a light reradiating flow cell system constructed in accordance with the invention and using as an element thereof an integral planar coniguration of photovoltaic detectors;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the left hand por~ion of the system of Figure 1 but showing how a fresnel lens and individual photocells are substituted for the configuration of photovoltaic detectors of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but illustrating a form of the invention using a hyperboloidal reflector instead of an ellipsoidal reflector for certain speci-fic measurementst Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of a modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a simplified diagram of another form of the invention using a paraboloid;
Figure 6 is a simplified diagram of a form of the inven-tion for additionally measuring fluorescence; and Figure 7 is a simplified diagram of another form of the invention which is the same as Figure 6 but symmetrically `~
reversed about a dichloric mirror in order to permit the use ` ~'5- ' - 5 -~3~ 7~
of commercially more available mirrors.
MENTS
Basically the invention comprises a flow cell in which there are means for collecting radiant energy around the first focal zone where a parkicle or other small body, hereinafter called a scatterer, passes through a beam of light and causes secondary radiation from said particle; the collecting means causes a reflection of said secondary radiant energy to a second focal zone and to detector means capable of responding to at least one of several multiple angles of projected radiation. In one form, the detector means comprise a known concentric ring photovoltaic detector and it is adjuste~ along an axis which passes through both the first and second focal zones. The opti-mum position for detecting the desired informatlon from the scatterer ls used. In an lmproved ~orm, the detector means comprise a fresnel prismatic lens or other optical element of a composite nature which deviates or reflects the incident radiant energy flu~ in accordance with a plurality ofdifferentgeometric areas to different, spaced apart, independent, small, phototec-tor devices in a highly economical manner.
Other forms of the invention provide for back scattering.
In Figure 1 there is illustrated a flow cell system inwhich there is a source of light 12 which projects a beam 14 through a suitable optical train which is called op~ics 16 to a partial reflector 18 on the optical axis 20. Thepartial reflec-tor or beam splitter projects the incident light along a~is 20 at a reduced intensity, now designated 22, through the spherical closure window 24 of the flow cell 26 to the sensing zone 28.
Transmitted light passes undeflected through the beam spli~ter18 as shown at 19 to other uses.
The flow cell 26 can be constructed using conventional techniques for sealing and the like and it comprises a reflector ... ., . . . : . . ~ .
~s~
29 that is a portion of an ellipsoid, having the window24sealed to its front and open end as at 30, having a rear window 32, an entering conduit 34 and a discharging conduit 36. The cell 26 is, filled with a fluid 38 that is compatible with the liquid which carries the particles and has the same index o refraction as that liquid. The particle source 40 moves the scatterers in the fluid mentioned to the entering conduit 34 from which they pass through the sensing zone 28 into the entrance of the discharging conduit 36 and pass into the reservoir 42. By techniques ~nown as sheath flow the fluid with scatterers may be caused to pass in a straight path across the sensing zone 28 and be discharged.
The beam of light 22 intersects the flow of scatterersat the sensing zone 28. That light not scattered plus that light scattered into small polar angles in the forward directions pass-es on through the window 32 into the light dump 44. Instead of such light dump there could be another dekecting system as dis-closed in the applications and patent referred to on page 3.
The sensing zone is chosen to be centered in the region of the first focal point of ellipsoid of which the reflector 29 is a part. The interior surface 46 of the reflector 29 ispolish-ed or mirrored and all light or radiant energy which originates at its focal point 28 will be reflected from the surface 46 to the second focal point 48 of the ellipsoid of which the reflec-tor 29 is a part. A typical ray of light is designated 50 and its path may be traced from the first focal point 28 upward and to the left to reflect from the surface 46 and then directly to the second focal point 48. ~ ;
All of the reflected rays of the reradiated energy from the reflector 29 are focussed at the focal point 48 and will thereafter (to the left of the point 48) diverge. An aperature 54, through which the radiant energy beams may pass and whichelimin-ates most stray light, is located in opaque barrier 52 and atthe ~3S~7~
focal point 48. The plane of the opaque barrier 52 i8 de.signat-ed 56, this being a plane which is normal to the axi~ 20 and the beam 22. It will be noted that the radius 58 of the spherical transparent window 24 which may be of glass is centered at the focal point 48 to eliminate any refractive bending in the beam 50 or any others which emerge from the reflector 29.
At a distance d from the plane 56 there is provided the planar configuration of detectors 60 which has previously been mentioned. The planar face 62 of the configuration 60 has the photosensitive elements and thls face 62 is parallel with the plane 56. Accordingly its several rings and wedges if it has such wedges, will respond to the portions of the radiant energy which fa.ll upon them, respectively. As will be noted, the angles which can be captured by the reflector surface 46 can be as large as 140 for example. By itself, as previously mentioned, a device such as 60 has only been capable of collecting scattering ang].es to a maximum of 25 or so. Thus, the detector 60 has had its utility increased. By virtue of the invention herein it is made capable of responding to many more scattering angles and providing much more lnformation than if it received the scatter-ing light directly from the sensing zone 2~ with no ellipsoidal reflector in place.
By moving the configuration 69 right and left through the medium of a motor 65 or the like as indicated by the double arrow 64 the optimum position can be obtained for determining the information desired. This, of course will depend upon the type of scatterers, what information is desired of them, etc.
Actually, by moving the configuration of detectors 60 over a range of the dimension d information can be obtained ~rom a variety of locations, keeping in mind, of course, that the largest scattering angle alling on the detector will decrease as the distance d is increased.
":~ , .-. ,i ~L3~
Once a given course of investigation ls to be followed and the optimum dopt has been ascertained and the corresponding scattering or reradiating angles have been calculated, instead of leaving the planar configuration of detectors 60 in place, fresnel lens elements 66 and 69 (Figure 2) made up of portions of prismatlc wedges or segments or rings oriented in different directions relative to the axis ~0 and/or tilted relative to said axis 20 may be substituted for the device 60. The fresnel prismatic lens deviates the converging rays of radiant energy to different spaced apart photocells such as shown at 68, 70, 72 and 74. The latter are small, sensitive, economical elements easily obtained commercially and easily replaced. They can be separated by distances to prevent interference between them, often refarred to as "cross-talk". The rays of radiant energy projected from the reflector surface 46 (Figure 1) are focussed again at the second focal point 48 of the aperture 54 (Figure 2) and the typical ray 50 is directed at the fresnel prismatic lens 66. Just in front of this lens 66 a focussing lens 69 has been located for the purpose of converging the rays ~rom the reflect-or 29 before they impinge on the prismatic elements of the lens 66. The focussing lens 69 can be a conventional ground or mold-ed lens or could be a fresnel focussing lens as illustrated.
The concept of utilizing the type of prismatic lens 66 which has been described in connection with Figure 2 and the details and benefits thereof are disclosed ln the cases referred to on page 3.
Thus, an instrument can be built using the planar con-figuration 60 in which the detector is moved by some mechanical means 65 or even manually to provide flexibility; an instrument - ;
can be built in which the configuration 60 has been fixed in place after adjustment in the factory to a particular distance d for a specific purpose; an instrument can be huilt of the latter .. -- 9 -- . .
S~
type in which a very economical fresnel lens which has thee~uiva-lent function of the optimum arrangement has been substituted for the configuration 60 after the best location dopt has been deter-mined.
The exact mechanical construction of the components of the system lO may be left to those skilled in the art who would understand that the structure for assembling the flow cell 26 and its parts must provide for filling, bubble relief, etc.
It should be appreciated that the increased utility o the integral planar configuration o~ detectors 60 over that for which it is at the present used comes about by virtue of thefact that in the invention, each ring of the device 60 can correspond to a large range of scattering angles, certainly larger than the range of angles that is represented by the present conventional way of using the said device 60.
Back scattering angles can be measured in the apparatus 10 simply by disposing the light dump 44 below the mirror 18 at the location occupied by the optics 16 and light source 12 and by disposing the optics 16 and light source 12 where the light dump 44 is located in Figure 1. In this way, the beam 22 willhave its arrows reversed, light coming in by way of the window 32 and passing from right to left as viewed in Figure l. In all other respects the system lO will not be aItered. - ;
The system admits of variations and uses in addition to the one described above without departing from the basic concept of the invention. For example, the location of the light source ~ -12, optics 16 and mirror 18 need not be where shown but could be at a location bet:ween the plane 56 and the detector 62. This location is indicated at 76 in Figure 1, this being the line along which the beam 14 would be projected toward the previous position of the mirror 18. The mirror 18 need not be fully reflecting but could be semi-transparent. Fluorescent light ~L3~
reradiation can be measured with the apparatus 10 if slightly modified as explained hereinafter.
In Figure 3 there is illustrated a system 100 in which the object of the apparatus is to investigate scattering angles closer to the forward direction than can be obtained through the use of the ellipsoidal reflector 29 of Figure 1. Th~ flow cell 126 in this instance is comprised of a hyperboloidal reflector 129 whose axis is designated 120 and having a first focal point 128 and its second or virtual focal point at 128'. As in the case of the cell 26, the interlor o~ the cell 126 is provided with a fluid 138 which may be held in place by a glass or other material transparent spherical closure 124 who~e radius of curvature 158 is centered on the virtual focal point 128'. Par-ticle source 140 provides the scatterers in a liquid which flows into the interior of the cell 126 by way of the entrance conduit 134 through the sensing zone-focal point 128 and out by way of the discharge conduit 136 to the reservoir 142. :
Light from the source 112 is directed as a beam 114 to ~:
the beam shaping optics 116 and thence as the beam 122 to the folding mirror 118 on the axis 120 through the front of the - ~
closure 124 to the sensing zone-focal point 128 and out the win- . -dow 132 to the beam dump 144. Typical light rays or fluxes resulting from the scattering are shown at 150 and 151 and it will be noted that these diverge, rather than coverge, giving information on the type of polar angles mentioned above, thatis, .~;~
smaller forward angles.
These beams, as the others which are not shown, are r~
captured directly in Figure 3 by the configuration of detectors ` :.
160 which can be moved in the direction of the arrow 164 by a motor such as 165 or by manual means to find the best location along the axis 120 relative to the cell 126~ When the optimum distance has been located, collecting optics, a fresnel lens . .
,: ,.. . ,. , .. . . : ~ , ~L~3~
and individual photocalls may be substituted for the device 160.
It will be noted that the direction along which the beams of scattered light 150 and 151 extend are extensions of lines 150' and 151' respectlvely from the virtual focal point 128'. In this case no stray-light suppressing aperture 54 is used.
In the system 200 of Figure 4, the light flux or rays emerging from the hyperboloidal reflector 229 are not used in their diverging form but are focussed 50 that they may be passed through an aperture for suppressing the stray light before being measured. Thus, the light rays 250 and 251 which are typical of scattered light reradiated from the sensing zone-focal point 228 are captured by the lens 280, focussed on the aperture 254 provided by the opaque barrier or iris 252 at the ~ocal point 248 and then are brought to the device 260 which is the same integral geometric configuration of photovoltaic detectors which was described above. One good choice of the distance of the lens 280 from the focal point 228~ on the axis 220 is twice the focal length of the lens. Then the aperture 254 will be located at the focal point 248, which is twice the focal length of the lens 280 from the lens.
Again, as in this structure, it is feasible to have the device 260 movable, to adjust it for optimum dlstance dopt from the aperture 254 and to substitute collection optics and a fres-nel lens or a composite mirror in its place.
Instead of the lens 66, in which the light or radiant energy passes through ~he deviating means, it is feasible to use ;
a composite mirror of multiple re~lecting surfaceswhichreceives the beams of light and reflects them to a plurality of spaced -individual locations so that the separate photocells may be located thereat.
In Figure 6 there is illustrated the application of the invention to a system 300 in which fluorescent reradiation is ~, :~35~
measured in addition to reradiation ~y scattering. In this case there is a flow cell 326 which is basically built out of an ellipsoidal reflector 3~6 but of course this could be any con-figuration of reflector of the types explained herein, The reflector 346 llas a window 332 through which the light beam 322 from the light source 312and optics 316 enters. The light source 312 could be a sultable laser and the beam 314 therefrom is applied to beam-shaping optics 316.
The beam 322 passes through the first focal point 328 of the reflector 346 where it encounters particles or cells which are entering the reflector along the path 334 from the particle source 340. At the first focal point 328 light will be reradiat-ed in accordance with the character of the particle and this light will be reflected from the reflector 346 towards thesecond focal point 34~ which lies in the plane 356 normal to theoptical axis 320. A typical ray is lndicated at 350 and this ray is shown striking the interior of the reflector 346 at the top thereof in the view and being deflected tGward a mirror 318 which intercepts the ray~
The mirror 318 which is here chosen is a dichroic ele-ment in that light is transmitted or reflected according to the wavelength of that light. The ray 350 includes componentswhich are fluorescent and other components of visible light. The ;~
dichroic mirror 318 is constructed to have substantially no effect upon light of the laser wavelength and hence those com-ponents of the beam 350 pass through the mirror 318 without deflection albeit somewhat diminished. These move toward the second focal point 348 as the ray 350' and impinge on the sensi-tive surface 362 of the integral planar configuration of photo-voltaic detectors 360 which is the equivalent of the prior art device 60 previously described.
The direct rays of light at 322 pass into a light dump ~ ;r~ ~ 13 -`~ :.
3S~
344 after being reflected by small mirror 372.
The light rays which focus at the second focal point 348 are purified by the opaque barrier or iris 352 which lies in the plane 356 that is normal to the axis 320 and passes through the second focal point 348. Light passes the barrier 352 by way of a center aperture 35A in the barrier. Ayain the distance d be-tween the plane 356 and the face 362 can be adjustedbysuitable means to be optimum and when this is achieved a collector and fresnel prism element with separate photodetectors substituted therefor as explained.
~ hose components of the ray 350 which have wavelengths to which the action of the dichroic mirror 318 will become effec-tive are reflected by the mirror as the ray 350" to focus at the point 357 along the axis 320~ which axis is shown perpendicular to the axis 320. At the focal point 357 there is a purifying opaque barrier 353 with an aperture 355 so that the clear ray extends below the barrier. It is there intercepted byasuitable transducer such as a photomultiplier tube or element 361 so that measurements can be made and compared against known information to identify or characterize the particle. The combined informa-tion from the device 360 ~or any system of fresnel lens and photodetectors substituted therefor~ and the transducer 361 can be channeled to a computer 370 where previously knowninformation is stored and against which the new information can be compared.
The rays such as 350' which pass through the dichroic mirror 318 will have less radiant energy than the original rays ;
350. Accordingly it is desired for maximum information to have as sensitive a detector at the position of the device 360 as feasible. The cases referred to on page 3 teaches how this can be done by substituting the prismatic fresnel lens system and its detectors for the low sensitivity device 360.
Figure 6 has been included to illustrate apparatus based ~359~
on the principle of collecting scattered and fluorescent light separately through the use of a dichroic mirror. To facilitate explanation, the version in which the scattered light is trans~
mitted and the fluorescent light is reflected is shown. As a practical matter, however, due to manufacturing problems of the dichroic mirror, the inverse arrangement, in which fluorescent light is transmitted while the scattered light is reflected, is actually the preferred embodiment. This latter is illustrated in Figure 7 and is identical to Figure 6 except for the t~ans-position of the respective elements.
In the course of the explanations given herein and in the claims, reference is made to focal points and to specific geo-metric configurations of reflectors such as ellipsoids, parabo-loids, etc. The manufacture of instruments which embody and use all of the benefits and advantages of the invention would call for providlng components which are formed with precision;
however, fox economy the configurations are certainly capable of being formed as approximations. Thuswhen speci~ic configura-tions are mentioned it should be taken to mean that in addition ; `
to the precise geometric configurations substantial and/or approximate approaches to such configurations are intended to be included herein. Focal points may not always be precisely a point but may be a sort of zone but will still give the desired results. Reference to two focal points in the discussion and claims is not intended to exclude paraboloidal reflectors inas-much as the second focal point thereof is considered to be at infinity.
Such a paraboloidal reflector is illustrated in connec-tion with the apparatus 400 of Figure 5. This apparatus in-cludes a flow cell 426 which has a parabolic reflector 446 whose front opening is closed off by a suitable closure 424 which is planar because the reradiated radiant energy which emerges from :
~L~IL3~97~
the reflector 446 emanates along lines which are parallel tothe optical axis 420. The light source 412 in this instance is behind the reflector 446 as shown and it projects a beam of incident radiant energy along the path 422 toward the folding mirror and onto the light dump 444, this beam of incident ra-diant energy passing through the sensing zone which coincides with the focal point 428 of the parabloid 446. Particles ori~
ginating at the source 440 move along the path to the focal point 428 and at that point which comprises the sensing zone they intercept the beam 422 and reradiate some of the radiank energy of said beam. The rays move outward of the focal point 428 as for example along the line 450, engage the inner surface of the reflector 446 and thereafter are projected parallelto the axis 420, as stated above, toward what may be considered the second focal point of the reflector 446 at infinity.
In order to utilize the benefits of the invention, the groups of rays emerging from the front of the reflector 446 are captured by a focussing lens 469 which may be of conventional : ~.
construction or fresnel construction and diverted along the , lines such as 450~ to another focal point at 448. This focal : ~
point is located relative to the reflector 446 in accordance .
with the optical specifications of the lens 469 (or a lens sys-tem used in lieu thereof) rather than as a result of the geo- `
metric law which defines the paraboloid~
At this focal point 448 there is an opaque barrier or ~: ;
iris 452 having a central aperture 454, these both lying on a plane 456 which is normal to the axis 420. At a distance d from the plane 456 there is located a measuring device which com-prises an integral planar configuration of photovoltaic detec-tors 460 whose sensitive surface is in the front plane thereof at 462. The ray groups 450' emerging from the reflector 446 and focussed at the focal point 448 diverge afterbeingpurified:
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: :: . . .: . . . . .
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of stray light at the focal point by the barrier 452 andimpinge against the sensitive surface 462 of the measuriny device 460.
It will be recognlzed that this measuring device is the same as those which have been referred to herein and identified as 60, 160, 260 and 360.
Again in this case, the measuring device 460 may be moved back and forth parallel to the ax:ls 420 but without changingitS
disposition relative to the axis to vary the distance d. Once the optimum distance and hence the optlmum polar angles have been determined, the known measuring device 460 may be removed and the measuring devices which are disclosed in the copending applications for increased sensitivity and better data may be substituted for collecting light at these angles. ,~
Many other vaxiatlons are capable of being made without departing ~rom the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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Claims (37)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of measuring the directional distributional properties of the radiant energy reradiated from a particle for characterization or the like of said particle and using a known integral configuration of photovoltaic detectors having a sensi-tive front planar surface which method comprises:
A. passing the particle through a sensing zone located on the interior of a concave reflector whose configuration is substantially defined be a geometric law, the reflector being symmetrical about an optical axis and having a first focal point also defined by said geometric law, the sensing zone being at said first focal point, B. directing a beam of incident radiant energy along said axis to said sensing zone, and C. intercepting the radiant energy which has been reradiated by said particle and emerging from the front of said reflector at said planar surface.
A. passing the particle through a sensing zone located on the interior of a concave reflector whose configuration is substantially defined be a geometric law, the reflector being symmetrical about an optical axis and having a first focal point also defined by said geometric law, the sensing zone being at said first focal point, B. directing a beam of incident radiant energy along said axis to said sensing zone, and C. intercepting the radiant energy which has been reradiated by said particle and emerging from the front of said reflector at said planar surface.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the configuration is adjusted along said axis while maintaining its disposition relative to the axis in order to find the location thereof along said axis providing optimum response of said photovoltaic detectors due to said reradiated radiant energy from said particle.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 in which, after said location of optimum response has been found, removing the configuration from said location and substituting therefor a composite optical member having the property of separating the received reradiated energy from said particles into plural individual ray groups and directing said ray groups along an equivalent plural number of respective paths, each group having a different direction relative to one another and a direction divergent from the said axis, and measuring the said individual ray groups separately by respective interception of said plural paths.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 in which the separation is effected by deviation in transmission through said composite optical member.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3 in which the separation is effected by reflection from said composite optical member.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the beam of incident radiant energy is directed from the rear of the reflector to said sensing zone whereby to provide information on reradiated energy initially directed primarily in the back directions.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the beam of incident radiant energy is directed from the front of the reflector to said sensing zone whereby to provide information on reradiated energy initially directed primarily in the forward directions.
8. The method as claimed in claim 2 in which the beam of incident radiant energy is directed from the rear of the reflector to saicl sensing zone whereby to provide information on reradiated energy initially directed primarily in the back directions.
9. The method as claimed in claim 2 in which the beam of incident radiant energy is directed from the front of the reflector to said sensing zone whereby to provide information on reradiated energy initially directed primarily in the forward directions.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the geometric law is that of an ellipsoid, the sensing zone being at said first focal point of said ellipsoid and including the step of passing the reradiated radiant energy from said particles through an aperture for the suppression of stray light at the second focal point of said ellipsoid before intercepting the same.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 in which the configuration is adjusted along the axis while maintaining its disposition relative to the axis in order to find the location of optimum response of said photovoltaic detectors due to said reradiated radiant energy from said particle.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 in which, after said location of optimum response has been found, removing the configuration from said location and substituting therefor a composite optical member having the property of separating the received reradiated radiant energy into plural individual ray groups and directing said ray groups along an equivalent plural number of respective paths, each having a different direction relative to one another and a direction divergent from the said axis, and measuring the said individual ray groups separately by respective interception of said plural paths.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12 in which the beam of incident radiant energy is directed from the rear of the reflector to said sensing zone whereby to provide primarily information on reradiation directed initially mostly backwards.
14. The method as clalmed in claim 12 in which the beam of incident radiant eneryy is directed from the front of the reflector to said sensing zone whereby to provide primarily information on reradiation directed initially forwardsO
15. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the geometric law is that of a paraboloid.
16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of focussing the reradiated energyO
17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of passing the focussed reradiated energy through an aperture.
18. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the geometric law is that of a hyperboloid.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18 in which the emerging reradiated radiant energy is focussed on an aperture before intercepting the same.
20, Apparatus for measuring the distribution of radiant energy produced by particles for characterization or the like of said particles which comprises: .
A. a source of radiant energy arranged to project a beam of radiant energy along a flrst axis, B. a sensing zone on said first axis, C. means for moving particles through said sensing zone to produce reradiated radiant energy from said particles, D, means for collecting some of the radiant energy reradiated in angles substantially surrounding said sensing zone and projecting same as ray groups toward a measuring device spaced from said sensing zone along said axis, said collecting means comprising i. a concave reflector which is symmetrical about said axis, the opening of said reflector facing toward said measuring device, ii. the configuration of said reflector being defined by a predetermined geometric law which provides for a focal point on the interior of said reflector, iii. the sensing zone being coincident with said focal point, E. said measuring device comprising an integral configuration of photovoltaic detectors having a sensitive planar surface, said planar surface being normal to said axis and facing said opening of the concave reflector and adapted to receive the projected ray groups.
A. a source of radiant energy arranged to project a beam of radiant energy along a flrst axis, B. a sensing zone on said first axis, C. means for moving particles through said sensing zone to produce reradiated radiant energy from said particles, D, means for collecting some of the radiant energy reradiated in angles substantially surrounding said sensing zone and projecting same as ray groups toward a measuring device spaced from said sensing zone along said axis, said collecting means comprising i. a concave reflector which is symmetrical about said axis, the opening of said reflector facing toward said measuring device, ii. the configuration of said reflector being defined by a predetermined geometric law which provides for a focal point on the interior of said reflector, iii. the sensing zone being coincident with said focal point, E. said measuring device comprising an integral configuration of photovoltaic detectors having a sensitive planar surface, said planar surface being normal to said axis and facing said opening of the concave reflector and adapted to receive the projected ray groups.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which the geometric law is that of an ellipse and the reflector is a portion of an ellipsoid.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the ellipsoid of which said reflector is a portion has a second focal point on said axis forward of said reflector opening, the projected ray groups being focussed at said second focal point, the apparatus including an iris defining an aperture at said second focal point, the said planar surface being spaced from the second focal point away from the reflector opening whereby the groups diverge from the aperture before impinging against said planar surface.
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which the distance of the planar surface from said focal point is adjustable along said axis to enable determining an optimum distance from said aperture.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the source is arranged to project its beam of radiant energy into the opening of said reflector from the front of the reflector.
25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the rear normally closed portion of the reflector has a window and the source is arranged to project its beam of radiant energy to said focal point from the rear of the reflector through said window.
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which the geometric law is that of a hyperbola and the reflector is a portion of one branch of said hyperboloid.
27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which the hyperboloid has a virtual focal point spaced rearwardly of the normally closed rear portion of the reflector, the ray groups produced by reradiation at said sensing zone and projected out of the front opening of said reflector diverging along paths defined by straight lines extending from the virtual focal point through the points of reflection on the inner surface of said reflector, said apparatus including means to collect the diverg-ing ray groups and redirect the same to said planar surface.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 in which the last mentioned collecting means comprise at least one focussing lens, the focussing lens being arranged to focus the ray groups to a third focal point on said axis, means defining an aperture at said third focal point, the ray groups being thereafter directed divergently to said planar surface.
29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 in which the position of the measuring device along said axis is adjustable whereby to enable determining the optimum distance of said planar surface from said third focal point.
30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which the geometric law is that of a parabola and the reflector is a paraboloid.
31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30 in which means are provided to focus the parallel ray groups emerging from the opening of the reflector to a second focal point on said axis spaced from the reflector opening.
32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 which includes means for movably positioning said measuring device along said axis on the side opposite the focussing means relative to said reflector.
33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32 in which said measuring device is movably positioned along said axis at a distance further from said reflector than said second focal point, and means are included defining an aperture at said second focal point whereby stray radiant energy is rejected.
34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which said measuring device is located on the axis on the side of the focussing means opposite said reflector.
35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 34 in which said location of the measuring device is further from said reflector than said second focal point and in which means are provided defining an aperture disposed at said second focal point where-by to reject stray radiant energy.
36. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which prior to intercepting the radiant energy it is treated to separate the components at fluorescent wavelengths from all other components and in which the respective types of components are intercepted independently.
37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which there are means for separating fluorescent wavelengths of said ray groups before they impinge against said measuring device, and diverting said fluorescent wavelengths to a second measuring device independent of the first-mentioned measuring device.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/000,439 US4341471A (en) | 1979-01-02 | 1979-01-02 | Apparatus and method for measuring the distribution of radiant energy produced in particle investigating systems |
| US439 | 1979-01-02 | ||
| US438 | 1979-01-02 | ||
| US06/000,438 US4286876A (en) | 1979-01-02 | 1979-01-02 | Apparatus and method for measuring scattering of light in particle detection systems |
| US20,817 | 1979-03-15 | ||
| US06/020,817 US4523841A (en) | 1979-03-15 | 1979-03-15 | Radiant energy reradiating flow cell system and method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1135971A true CA1135971A (en) | 1982-11-23 |
Family
ID=27356665
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000342923A Expired CA1135971A (en) | 1979-01-02 | 1980-01-02 | Radiant energy reradiating flow cell system and method |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1135971A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3000034A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2445961A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2044445B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5170064A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1992-12-08 | Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited | Infrared-based gas detector using a cavity having elliptical reflecting surface |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4200802A (en) * | 1979-03-28 | 1980-04-29 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Parabolic cell analyzer |
| FR2535051A1 (en) * | 1982-10-22 | 1984-04-27 | Saint Etienne Universite | Continuous measurement of properties of particles in flow |
| FR2535053B1 (en) * | 1982-10-22 | 1985-06-21 | Saint Etienne Universite | APPARATUS FOR OPTICAL IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL MULTIPARAMETRIC PROPERTIES OF PARTICLES OR OBJECTS IN CONTINUOUS FLOW |
| US4606636A (en) * | 1983-10-25 | 1986-08-19 | Universite De Saint-Etienne | Optical apparatus for identifying the individual multiparametric properties of particles or bodies in a continuous flow |
| GB2231951A (en) * | 1989-03-02 | 1990-11-28 | I E I | Detection apparatus and methods |
| GB2241080B (en) * | 1990-02-19 | 1994-06-01 | Perkin Elmer Ltd | Improvements in or relating to analytical-sampling devices and associated spectrophotometric apparatus and method |
| US6087947A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 2000-07-11 | Robert N. Hamburger | Allergen detector system and method |
| CA2279574C (en) * | 1997-01-31 | 2007-07-24 | The Horticulture & Food Research Institute Of New Zealand Ltd. | Optical apparatus |
| US6084670A (en) | 1997-03-11 | 2000-07-04 | Nihon Kohden Corporation | Particle analyzer and composite lens formed by integrally joining plural lens elements of different focal points |
| ATE250757T1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2003-10-15 | Robert N Hamburger | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ALLERGENS |
| US5969622A (en) * | 1997-10-07 | 1999-10-19 | Robert N. Hamburger | Allergen detector system and method |
| ATE335998T1 (en) * | 1999-05-04 | 2006-09-15 | Mettler Toledo Autochem Inc | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING PARTICLES USING THE REFLECTION OF A MULTIPLE SCANNING BEAM |
| FR2801671B1 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2001-12-21 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | DEVICE FOR MEASURING, BY DIFFRACTION, SIZES OF SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICAL PARTICLES, ESPECIALLY OPAQUE DROPS |
| DE10062724B4 (en) * | 2000-12-15 | 2004-08-26 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Methods and devices for determining the inherent optical parameters scattering coefficient, forward scattering coefficient, backward scattering coefficient and absorption coefficient of a suspension |
| KR101170859B1 (en) | 2004-07-30 | 2012-08-02 | 바이오비질런트 시스템즈 인코포레이티드 | Pathogen and particle detector system and method |
| US7616311B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2009-11-10 | Jmar Llc | Systems and methods for a multiple angle light scattering (MALS) instrument having two-dimensional detector array |
| EP1904807A4 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2011-04-20 | Jmar Res Inc | Systems and methods for a multiple angle light scattering (mals) instrument having two-dimensional dectector array |
| CN101223560B (en) | 2005-07-15 | 2012-12-12 | 百维吉伦特系统有限公司 | Pathogen and particle detector system and method |
| US7538874B2 (en) * | 2006-03-23 | 2009-05-26 | Hach Company | Measurement of light from a predefined scatter angle from particulate matter in a media |
| WO2009063322A2 (en) * | 2007-08-15 | 2009-05-22 | Malvern Instruments Ltd | Broad-range spectrometer |
| US8628976B2 (en) | 2007-12-03 | 2014-01-14 | Azbil BioVigilant, Inc. | Method for the detection of biologic particle contamination |
| DE102012201423B4 (en) * | 2012-02-01 | 2013-10-31 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement for the detection of particles |
-
1980
- 1980-01-02 GB GB8000033A patent/GB2044445B/en not_active Expired
- 1980-01-02 CA CA000342923A patent/CA1135971A/en not_active Expired
- 1980-01-02 DE DE19803000034 patent/DE3000034A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1980-01-02 FR FR8000046A patent/FR2445961A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5170064A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1992-12-08 | Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited | Infrared-based gas detector using a cavity having elliptical reflecting surface |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2445961A1 (en) | 1980-08-01 |
| GB2044445B (en) | 1983-04-20 |
| DE3000034A1 (en) | 1980-07-31 |
| GB2044445A (en) | 1980-10-15 |
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