Design and development of a grating-based flow-cytometer

Flow cytometry is a technique used to detect and measure physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. A sample containing cells or particles is suspended in a fluid and injected into the flow cytometer instrument. The sample is focused to ideally flow one cell at a time through a laser beam and the light scattered is characteristic to the cells and their components. Cells are often labeled with fluorescent markers so that light is first absorbed and then emitted in a band of wavelengths. Tens of thousands of cells can be quickly examined and the data gathered are processed by a computer.”[Wikipedia]
Modern commercial cytometers typically employ bulk optics and capillary-based flow cells. Furthermore, they often employ a collection of specialized filters, mirrors, one to several lasers, and can have more than 10 separate highly sensitive PMT (Photomultiplyer tube) detectors.
Diffraction grating is an optical component with a periodic structure that splits and disperses light into its constituent wavelengths (colors), much like the formation of a rainbow when light hits a prism. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Ray G DeCorby

Student:

Seyed Azmayesh-Fard

Partner:

Lab Chip Technologies Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Alberta