Laser light propagation systems for irradiating a sample in a flow stream and methods for using same
Aspects of the disclosure include systems for irradiating a sample in a flow stream. Systems according to certain embodiments include a light propagator having a first fiber optic operably coupled to a first laser and configured to receive light from the first laser at a proximal end and to convey the laser light from a distal end to a first position on the flow stream and a second fiber optic operably coupled to a second laser and configured to receive light from the second laser at a proximal end and to convey the laser light from a distal end to a second position on the flow stream. Methods for irradiating a sample in a flow stream with the subject systems and detecting light from two or more positions on irradiated flow stream are also provided.
1. A system comprising:
a flow cell comprising a flow path for propagating a flow stream; and
a light propagation component comprising a fiber optic bundle comprising:
a first fiber optic operably coupled to a first laser and configured to receive light from the first laser at a proximal end and to convey the laser light from a distal end; and
a second fiber optic operably coupled to a second laser and configured to receive light from the second laser at a proximal end and to convey the laser light from a distal end;
a single lens configured to convey the light from the distal end of the first fiber optic to a first position on the flow stream and to convey the light from the distal end of the second fiber optic to a second position on the flow stream; and
a light detection component comprising :
a single fiber optic confgured to receive light from the first position and the second position on the flow stream; and
a photodetector for detecting light from the first position on the flow stream and the second position on the flow stream.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first laser and the second laser are continuous wave lasers.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second position is downstream from the first position on the flow stream.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the lens is a bionic lens.
5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end of each of the first fiber optic and the second fiber optic is configured to generate a predetermined beam profile on the flow stream for each beam of laser light.
6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the distal end of each of the first fiber optic and the second fiber optic is configured to generate a substantially constant beam profile across a horizontal axis of the flow stream for each beam of laser light.
7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the distal end of each of the first fiber optic and the second fiber optic is configured to generate a top-hat beam profile across a horizontal axis of the flow stream for each beam of laser light.
8. The system according to claim 5 , wherein the distal end of each of the first fiber optic and the second fiber optic comprises a polygonal cross-section.
9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the light propagation component further comprises a third fiber optic operably coupled to a third laser.
10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the light propagation component is configured to receive light from the lasers and to propagate a beam of light from each laser to a different position on the flow stream.
11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the photodetector is configured to detect light from the flow stream irradiated by each of the lasers.
12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the photodetector comprises a photodetector array.
13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is a particle analyzer.
14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the particle analyzer is a part of a flow cytometer.