Patent ID: 6665072
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for at least one of fluorescence detection and fluorescence measurement of fluorescence intensity, comprising:at least one light emitting source for emitting at least one beam of light for illuminating at least one sample for effecting emissions of fluorescent light from said at least one sample, said emitted fluorescent light comprised at least of first and second predetermined spectral bands; and a detector positioned for receiving the emitted fluorescent light from the at least one sample, for spatially separating the emitted fluorescent light into component beams based at least on spectral band, and for detecting an emission flux of at least one component beam, said detector, comprising: a polarization-sensitive optical element for receiving the emitted fluorescent light, for transmitting the received light in the tint predetermined spectral band therethrough without alteration, and for transmitting the received light in the second predetermined spectral band therethrough such that its polarization state upon exiting the polarization-sensitive optical element is the complement of its polarization state before entering the polarization-sensitive optical element; a double refractive element positioned in optical series either before or after the polarization-sensitive optical element, said double refractive element for separating light incident thereon into spatially distinct beams according to polarization state, wherein if positioned before the polarization-sensitive optical element, said double-refractive element receives the emitted fluorescent light and spatially separates the received light into two beams according to polarization state; or if positioned after the polarization-sensitive optical element, said double-refractive element spatially separates the component beams of each set according to polarization state; and a photodetector for detecting the emission flux of at least one component beam received after passing through both said polarization-sensitive element and said double refractive element.