System and method for measuring narrow and wide angle light scatter on a high-speed cell sorting device

A system for measuring light scatter of a particle moving on a jetting axis, the system comprising:

• a forward angle light scatter light source for emission of electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength;
• a side scatter light source for emission of electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength;
• wherein the first wavelength is different than the second wavelength;
• wherein the electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength and the electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength meet at a focus spot;
• wherein when the particle is in the focus spot it will produce forward angle light scatter having the first wavelength and side scatter light having the second wavelength;
• a collection optic operative to receive both forward angle light scatter and side scatter light;
• a detector positioned in relation to the collection optic such that forward angle light scatter and side scatter light received by the collection optic impinge on the detector as combined forward angle light scatter and side scatter light, the detector producing a first output representative of a forward angle light scatter component of the combined forward angle light scatter and side scatter light, the detector producing a second output representative of a side scatter light component of the combined forward angle light scatter and side scatter light;
• and
• wherein the collection optic comprises a collection lens and a scatter angle selection filter assembly comprising:
• a first optical filter operative to substantially transmit the first wavelength and substantially block the second wavelength, the first optical filter having a first side, a second side, and a first optical filter axis;
• wherein the first optical filter axis is substantially collinear with the optic axis;
• a second optical filter operative to substantially transmit the second wavelength and substantially block the first wavelength, the second optical filter having a third side and a fourth side;
• wherein the third side of the second optical filter abuts the first side of the first optical filter;
• and
• a third optical filter operative to substantially transmit the second wavelength and substantially block the first wavelength, the third optical filter having a fifth side and a sixth side;
• wherein the fifth side of the second optical filter abuts the second side of the first optical filter.

A scatter angle selection filter for angular selection of light scatter from a particle moving on a jetting axis, comprising:

• a first optical filter operative to substantially transmit a first wavelength and substantially block a second wavelength, the first optical filter having a first side and a second side;
• wherein the first wavelength is different than the second wavelength;
• a second optical filter operative to substantially transmit the second wavelength and substantially block the first wavelength, the second optical filter having a third side and a fourth side;
• wherein the third side of the second optical filter abuts the first side of the first optical filter;
• and
• a third optical filter operative to substantially transmit the second wavelength and substantially block the first wavelength, the third optical filter having a fifth side and a sixth side;
• wherein the fifth side of the second optical filter abuts the second side of the first optical filter.