Patent ID: 8450702
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A fluorescence detecting method of detecting a fluorescence emitted from an analyte by irradiating a flowing fluid formed of a buffer solution containing the analyte with laser beam having its light intensity modulated using a modulation signal having a given frequency and receiving the fluorescence emitted from a passing analyte with a light receiving means, the method comprising: a first step of collecting a first fluorescence signal of the fluorescence received by the light receiving means when the analyte passes a position irradiated with the laser beam; a second step of collecting a second fluorescence signal of the fluorescence received by the light receiving means in the absence of the analyte at the position irradiated with the laser beam after the analyte passed the position irradiated with the laser beam; and a third step of adjusting a first phase difference information on the first fluorescence signal with respect to the modulation signal by using a second phase difference information on the second fluorescence signal with respect to the modulation signal to obtain a third phase difference information on the fluorescence signal of the fluorescence emitted from the analyte with respect to the modulation signal, and obtaining a fluorescence relaxation time constant of the fluorescence emitted from the analyte based on the third phase difference information thus obtained.