Micro-lens systems for particle processing systems
The present disclosure provides improved optical systems for particle processing (e.g., cytometry including microfluidic based sorters, drop sorters, and/or cell purification) systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous micro-lens array optical detection assemblies for particle (e.g., cells, microscopic particles, etc.) processing systems and methods (e.g., for analyzing, sorting, processing, purifying, measuring, isolating, detecting, monitoring and/or enriching particles.
1. A particle processing system comprising:
a detection region including a micro-lens array, the micro-lens array including a first micro-lens system having a plurality of free-space optical elements disposed along a central axis, the plurality of free-space optical elements including a first micro-lens and a spectrally-selective optical element in a common housing; and
a particle processing region having a microfluidic channel, the particle processing region configured to be removably and optically coupled to the detection region.
2. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the central axis of the first micro-lens system is oriented at a tilt with respect to the microfluidic channel to avoid blocking other light paths.
3. The particle processing system of claim 2 , wherein the other light paths include extinction light or scattered light.
4. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein a numerical aperture of the first micro-lens system is in a range from 0.40 to 0.60.
5. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein a first optical path through the first micro-lens system of the micro-lens array is isolated from a second optical path through a second micro-lens system of the micro-lens array.
6. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first micro-lens includes a chamfered or beveled corner.
7. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first micro-lens has a flat region formed on a side surface.
8. The particle processing system of claim 7 , wherein the flat region is angled relative to the central axis.
9. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of free-space optical elements is asymmetric with respect to the central axis.
10. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first micro-lens has a first surface facing the microfluidic channel, the first surface having an asymmetric cross-section.
11. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of optical elements collects and collimates a fluorescence signal from the microfluidic channel.
12. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first micro-lens system includes a second micro-lens.
13. The particle processing system of claim 12 , wherein the spectrally-selective optical element is disposed in an air gap between the first micro-lens and the second micro-lens.
14. A particle processing system comprising:
a detection region including a micro-lens array, the micro-lens array including a first micro-lens system having a plurality of free-space optical elements disposed along a central axis, the plurality of free-space optical elements including a first micro-lens and a spectrally-selective optical element arranged in an asymmetric, non-mirror image arrangement in a common housing; and
a particle processing region having a microfluidic channel, the particle processing region configured to be removably and optically coupled to the detection region.
15. The particle processing system of claim 14 , wherein the central axis of the first micro-lens system is oriented at a tilt with respect to the microfluidic channel to avoid blocking other light paths.
16. The particle processing system of claim 15 , wherein the other light paths include extinction light or scattered light.
17. The particle processing system of claim 14 , wherein the first micro-lens system includes a second micro-lens.
18. The particle processing system of claim 17 , wherein the spectrally-selective optical element is disposed in an air gap between the first micro-lens and the second micro-lens.
19. The particle processing system of claim 14 , wherein a first optical path through the first micro-lens system of the micro-lens array is isolated from a second optical path through a second micro-lens system of the micro-lens array.
20. The particle processing system of claim 14 , wherein the first micro-lens includes a chamfered or beveled corner.
21. The particle processing system of claim 1 , wherein the first micro-lens system is positioned relative to the microfluidic channel so as to collect light from an angle of less than 180 degrees from the microfluidic channel.