Cell sorting based on event statistics

An apparatus, comprising:

• a fluidics system configured to generate a fluid stream using a sample including a suspension of particles to be sorted, the fluid stream forming a stream of droplets;
• an optical interrogation system configured to illuminate the fluid stream with probe light and one or more optical detectors configured to convert optical response signals to the probe light received from the fluid stream into electrical signals;
• and
• an electronic controller configured to:
• process the electrical signals to acquire event statistics corresponding to the fluid stream;
• determine a degree of deviation of the event statistics from reference statistics;
• and
• take a responsive action in response to the degree of deviation exceeding a threshold level.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

• acquiring event statistics based on one or more signals generated from interrogating particles in a fluid stream;
• determining a degree of deviation of the event statistics from reference statistics;
• and
• taking an automated responsive action in response to the degree of deviation exceeding a threshold level.