High throughput method and apparatus for measuring multiple optical properties of a liquid sample

An apparatus comprising:

• a multiwell plate comprising at least one vessel configured to contain a suspended liquid sample,
• wherein the at least one vessel comprises a transparent bottom surface;
• a primary optical fiber bundle comprising a probe end and a system end,
• wherein the primary optical fiber bundle comprises
• at least one illumination fiber optically coupled to an excitation radiation source on the system end of the primary optical fiber bundle and positioned to illuminate the suspended liquid sample on the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle, and
• a plurality of collection fibers positioned, on the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle, to collect radiation from the liquid sample illuminated by the at least one illumination fiber and optically coupled, on the system end of the primary optical fiber bundle, to at least one detector;
• a translation device coupled to the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle,
• wherein the translation device is configured to provide relative motion between the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle and the transparent bottom surface;
• wherein the plurality of collection fibers are arranged concentrically about the at least one illumination fiber on the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle;
• wherein the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle is positioned at an angle to the bottom surface;
• wherein the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle is beveled, wherein the at least one illumination fiber is beveled, and wherein the plurality of collection fibers is beveled, such that a flat surface of the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle is parallel to the bottom surface;
• wherein the multiwell plate is stationary and the translation device is configured to move the probe end of the primary optical fiber bundle relative to the multiwell plate;
• and
• a secondary illumination optical fiber bundle mechanically coupled to the translation device,
• wherein the secondary illumination optical fiber bundle comprises a probe end and a system end,
• wherein the system end of the secondary illumination optical fiber bundle is optically coupled to a light scattering illumination source,
• wherein the primary optical fiber bundle is distinct from the secondary illumination optical fiber bundle,
• wherein the translation device is configured to move simultaneously the primary optical fiber bundle and the secondary illumination optical fiber bundle to a position under the at least one well.