Optical flow cytometry system

A method comprising:

• flowing a sample through a flow cell, wherein the sample includes a fluid suspension of one or more particles, wherein at least one of the one or more particles includes a fluorescent material;
• illuminating the sample with a first light source as it flows through the flow cell to cause the fluorescent material to produce fluorescent emissions;
• receiving fluorescent emissions from the sample;
• reflecting a first portion of the fluorescent emissions to a first optical sensor;
• generating, with the first optical sensor, a first measurement of the first portion of the fluorescent emissions from the sample;
• directing a second, greater portion of the fluorescent emissions to a second optical sensor;
• generating, with the second optical sensor, a second measurement of the second portion of the fluorescent emissions from the sample;
• and
• determining a value of the intensity of the fluorescent emissions based on the first measurement, the second measurement, or both.

A flow cytometer, comprising

• a flow cell configured to move a sample including a fluorescent material through an examination zone;
• a laser configured to direct a laser beam toward the examination zone to cause the fluorescent material to produce fluorescent emissions;
• a first silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) comprising first detection cells;
• a second SiPM comprising second detection cells, wherein the second detection cells are between 20-80 percent larger than the first detection cells;
• a partially-reflective surface configured to reflect a first portion of fluorescent emissions from the sample to the first SiPM and direct a second, greater portion of fluorescent emissions from the sample to the second SiPM, wherein the ratio of the first portion of fluorescent emissions to the second portion of fluorescent emissions is between 1:19 and 1:100;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive a first measurement of the first portion of fluorescent emissions with the first SiPM, and
• receive a second measurement of the second portion of fluorescent emissions with the second SiPM.