Patent ID: 6078390
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of setting the fluorescence sensitivity of an optical scanning system, the method including the steps of:A. producing an excitation signal with a predetermined power level;B. scanning a first scan line of a predetermined calibration area of a sample using the excitation signal;C. determining if signals corresponding to N pixels in the first scan line are saturated;D. if the signals are saturated reducing the excitation signal power by a predetermined factor;E. repeating steps B-D until the signals associated with fewer than N pixels in the first scan line are saturated;F. scanning a next scan line of the calibration area;G. determining if signals corresponding to N adjacent pixels in the next scan line are saturated;H. if the signals are saturated reducing the excitation signal power by the predetermined factor;I. repeating steps G-H until the signals associated with fewer than N pixels in the next scan line are saturated; andJ. repeating steps F-I until a last scan line in the calibration area is scanned.