System and apparatus for measuring scattered light signals from pressurized solutions and method of assembly

An apparatus configured to be secured to a light scattering instrument having a chassis and a laser source configured to emit a laser beam along a path, the apparatus comprising:

• a pressure cell mounted to the chassis, the pressure cell comprising a chamber defined by one or more walls and configured to contain a fluid pressurized up to 350 MPa, a plurality of light-transmissive windows in the one or more walls, including at least a beam entry window and a beam exit window positioned in the path of the laser beam, and one or more windows positioned orthogonal to the path of the laser beam, and a sample enclosure positioned in the path of the laser beam, the sample enclosure isolated from, but in temperature and pressure communication with, the fluid;
• an external condition-inducing system configured to provide a predetermined temperature and pressure of the fluid within the pressure cell chamber;
• a biological sample received in the sample enclosure of the pressure cell;
• and
• a plurality of detectors positioned adjacent one or more of the plurality of windows, the plurality of detectors comprising one or more of a transmission detector disposed adjacent the exit window, and one or more light scattering detectors positioned adjacent the one or more windows orthogonal to the path of the laser beam and configured to detect one or more characteristics of light scattered from the laser beam passing through the sample.

A method of for retrofitting an atmospheric light scattering instrument, the atmospheric-pressure light scattering instrument having a chassis and a laser source configured to emit a laser beam along a path, the method comprising:

• mounting a pressure cell to the chassis, the pressure cell comprising a chamber defined by one or more walls and configured to contain a fluid pressurized up to 350 MPa, a plurality of light-transmissive windows in the one or more walls, including at least a beam entry window and a beam exit window positioned in the path of the laser beam, and one or more windows positioned orthogonal to the path of the laser beam, and a sample enclosure positioned in the path of the laser beam, the sample enclosure isolated from, but in temperature and pressure communication with, the fluid;
• providing an external condition-inducing system configured to provide a predetermined temperature and pressure of the fluid within the pressure cell chamber;
• providing one or more openings in the chassis for facilitating a connection between the pressure cell and the external condition-inducing system;
• inserting a biological sample into the sample enclosure of the pressure cell;
• positioning a plurality of detectors adjacent the pressure cell, the plurality of detectors comprising one or more of a transmission detector disposed adjacent the exit window, and one or more light scattering detectors positioned adjacent the one or more windows orthogonal to the path of the laser beam and configured to detect one or more characteristics of light scattered from the laser beam passing through the sample;
• connecting a pressure cable of the external condition-inducing system to the pressure cell via a pressure inlet;
• emitting a laser beam along a path toward to the pressure cell, such that when the laser beam enters the sample enclosure of the pressure cell, the light scattered by the biological sample is transmitted through the plurality of windows;
• and
• detecting one or more characteristics of said scattered light by the plurality of detectors.