An optical detection system comprising: a light collection system configured to produce objective lens imaged collected light from a detection zone of a flow cell; and a light dispersion module configured to separate the objective lens imaged collected light into at least two wavelengths of light; wherein the system is configured to allow for the selective detection of side scatter SSC wavelength light from a core region of collected light, via (a) an aperture positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the aperture comprises an optical mask configured to only block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light that is outside of the core region, the aperture having a size defined by the optical mask that is matched to the core region of the objective lens imaged collected light; or (b) an optical filter positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the optical filter is configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light; and an aperture configured to selectively block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light in the first path that is outside of the core region; and a fiber optic light conveyer configured to selectively transmit SSC wavelength light in the first path from the core region of the SSC wavelength light. wherein the aperture is attached directly to the fiber optic light conveyor. a light collection system configured to produce objective lens imaged collected light from a detection zone of a flow cell; and a light dispersion module configured to separate the objective lens imaged collected light into at least two wavelengths of light; wherein the system is configured to allow for the selective detection of side scatter SSC wavelength light from a core region of collected light, via (a) an aperture positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the aperture comprises an optical mask configured to only block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light that is outside of the core region, the aperture having a size defined by the optical mask that is matched to the core region of the objective lens imaged collected light; or (b) an optical filter positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the optical filter is configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light; and an aperture configured to selectively block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light in the first path that is outside of the core region; and a fiber optic light conveyer configured to selectively transmit SSC wavelength light in the first path from the core region of the SSC wavelength light. (a) an aperture positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the aperture comprises an optical mask configured to only block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light that is outside of the core region, the aperture having a size defined by the optical mask that is matched to the core region of the objective lens imaged collected light; or (b) an optical filter positioned between the light collection system and the light dispersion module, wherein the optical filter is configured to produce at least a first path and a second path of objective lens imaged collected light, wherein the first path comprises at least a portion of the SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light; and an aperture configured to selectively block SSC wavelength light from the objective lens imaged collected light in the first path that is outside of the core region; and wherein the aperture is attached directly to the fiber optic light conveyor.