Patent ID: 8027035

Claim:
A particle detection system comprising: a flow cell for containing a fluid flowing through said flow cell in a flow direction; a source for generating a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a cross sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, said source positioned to direct said beam through said flow cell, wherein an angle between said major axis and said flow direction is non-orthogonal, wherein particles contained within said fluid interact with said beam, thereby generating scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation; a system of optics for collecting and directing said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation onto a two-dimensional detector, wherein said system of optics has an optical axis positioned non-orthogonal to said major axis; and said two-dimensional detector positioned in optical communication with said flow cell for receiving at least a portion of said scattered or emitted electromagnetic radiation, wherein said two-dimensional detector is positioned non-orthogonal to said optical axis of said system of optics.