Patent ID: 6594009
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An optical system for use in conjunction with a flowing fluid containing suspended biological material, said optical system comprising:a flow tube, designed to carry said flowing fluid, and including a first and a second end; a plurality of off-axis ellipsoidal mirrors forming an optical mirror enclosure and defining an internal mirror cavity, wherein said internal cavity fully surrounds said flow tube and the first and second ends of said flow tube protrude from opposing sides of said optical mirror enclosure, wherein each of said off-axis ellipsoidal mirror defines a first and a second focal point, and wherein the first focal point of each of said off-axis ellipsoidal mirrors is coincident upon the flow tube; a plurality of optical units, each of said optical units located at the second focal point of a corresponding one of said off-axis ellipsoidal mirrors; and a light source producing high-intensity excitation light which is caused to impinge upon said biological material and excite a response therefrom.