OPTICAL SYSTEMS FOR FLOW CYTOMETERS

摘要

An optical system (10) for use in flow cytometers comprises a plurality of waveguides (16) supported on an orifice plate (12) used to define the flow stream (17). The waveguides (16) terminate at an aperture (14) in the orifice plate (12) through which the flow stream (17) is directed. The ends of the waveguides (16) distal from the aperture (14) are variously coupled to illumination sources (18) and detector (18). In a preferred embodiment, the waveguides (16) are optical fibers bonded to the orifice plate (12). In another preferred embodiment, the orifice plate (12) serves as the substrate for an integrated optics device, the waveguides (16) being provided by appropriate implantation.