This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210902030.6, filed on Jul. 28, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a beam measuring device, and in particular to a beam measuring device for sample processor. The present disclosure further relates to a sample processor such as a flow cytometer/analyzer including a beam measuring device. The present disclosure further relates to a method of measuring a beam using the beam measuring device.
This section only provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily the prior art.
In an optical system, beams emitted from a light source often need to be collimated before reaching the target. The collimated beam shall have desired characteristics to ensure the precision or accuracy of the optical system. These characteristics include divergence characteristics (e.g., the degree to which the beam contracts or diverges along the direction of propagation) and directionality characteristics (e.g., the degree of inclination of the parallel beam relative to the predetermined optical axis). For this purpose, a beam measuring device is provided for detecting the divergence and directionality characteristics of the collimated beam.
The existing beam measuring device directly measures the beam, that is, measures some parameters of the beam itself. In such a beam measuring device and method, the beam measuring path is long to ensure measurement accuracy, resulting in a larger size of the beam measuring device. For a system with limited space, the beam measuring device and method are disadvantageous.
In addition, due to the above-mentioned structural limitations, the measurement of divergence angle and directionality is often integrated in the same measurement device and performed simultaneously. This increases measurement difficulty and complexity.
A general summary of the present disclosure is provided in this section, rather than the full scope of the present disclosure or a comprehensive disclosure of all features of the present disclosure.
In view of the above problems of the existing beam measuring devices, an object according to the present disclosure is to provide a beam measuring device and method, which may shorten the optical detection channel while ensuring the detection accuracy, so that the beam measuring device has a compact structure. In an embodiment, the beam measuring device and method may independently detect the divergence angle or directionality of the beam as required, thereby simplifying the detection process and improving the detection accuracy.
According to an aspect of the present application, a beam measuring device is provided, which includes a detection unit and a light impediment unit. The light impediment unit is located between the detection unit and a light source, and is configured to generate a shadow area on the detection unit by blocking transmission of part of a beam coming from the light source. The detection unit is configured to measure the shadow area, and to determine whether the beam is divergent or inclined with respect to a predetermined optical axis based on the measurement of the shadow area.
According to the beam measuring device of the present disclosure, the shadow area is generated by the light impediment unit and the divergence property or directionality property of the beam is indirectly determined based on the measurement of the shadow area. The indirect measurement by the light impediment unit may shorten the optical detection channel of the beam, so that the size of the beam measuring device can be reduced. The arrangement of the light impediment unit can be changed according to the need, which is more flexible and can be applied to various occasions.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the detection unit is configured to calculate a divergence angle of the beam or an inclined angle of the beam relative to the predetermined optical axis based on the measurement of the shadow area.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the light impediment unit includes a first light impediment and a second light impediment. The first light impediment and the second light impediment are arranged and spaced apart in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined optical axis, and the first and second light impediments create a first shadow area and a second shaded region on the detection unit, respectively. The detection unit is configured to measure the first shadow area and the second shadow area, and to calculate an inclined angle of the beam relative to the predetermined optical axis based on difference of the measurements of the first shadow area and the second shadow area and sizes of the first and second light impediments in a second direction parallel to the predetermined optical axis.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first light impediment and/or the second light impediment comprises two column-shaped members which are arranged in such a way that they are offset from each other in both the first direction and the second direction.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first light impediment and the second light impediment have the same configuration and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the second direction.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the light impediment unit includes at least one light impediment, and the detection unit is configured to measure a shadow area generated by a single light impediment of the at least one light impediment, and to calculate a divergence angle of the beam based on the measurement of the shadow area and a distance between the light impediment and the detection unit.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the light impediment is a column-shaped member.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the beam measuring device further includes an actuation means configured to translate the light impediment unit and/or the detection unit relative to the light source.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the beam measuring device includes multiple light-impediment units with different configurations, and the detection unit includes multiple detectors for detecting the light-impediment units, respectively.
A sample processor is provided according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The sample processor includes the above-mentioned beam measuring device.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of measuring a beam using the above-mentioned beam measuring device. The method includes: measuring the shadow area generated by the light impediment unit on the detection unit; and determining whether the beam is divergent or inclined with respect to the predetermined optical axis based on the measurement of the shaded area.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the method further includes calculating a divergence angle of the beam or an inclined angle of the beam with respect to the predetermined optical axis based on the measurement of the shadow area.
In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the method further includes: translating the light impediment unit and/or the detection unit relative to the light source.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and therefore, are not considered to limit the present disclosure.
The features and advantages of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will become more readily understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
The following detailed description of the present disclosure is for explanation only and is by no means intended to limit the present disclosure and the applications or usages thereof. The implementations described in this specification are not exhaustive and are merely some of many possible implementations. Exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies may not be described in detail.
The beam measuring device and method according to the present disclosure is suitable for detecting characteristics of a beam, in particular, divergence characteristics or directionality characteristics thereof. The beam measuring device and method according to the present disclosure is suitable for detecting the divergence property or the directionality property individually as required. As used herein, “beam divergence” refers to beam reduction or expansion, not collimation. In other words, the diverging beam has a varying diameter rather than a constant diameter. “Directionality of the beam” as used herein refers to the orientation or tilt of the beam relative to the desired optical axis.
The beam measuring device and method according to the present disclosure are suitable for various optical detection systems, e.g., optical detection systems for sample processors. For example, the optical system and sample processor are used for detection or sorting of liquid samples containing biological particles (e.g., extracellular vesicles) or non-biological particles (e.g., beads).
The beam measuring device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to
As shown in
In the example shown in the figures, the mounting base 110 includes a plate-shaped body 112 and holes 114 for receiving fasteners such as bolts or screws. The plate-shaped body 112 is generally rectangular. The holes 114 are located at the four corners of the plate-shaped body 112. It should be understood that the structure of the mounting base described herein should not be limited to the specific examples shown in the figures, but may be changed as required, as long as the functions described herein can be implemented.
The casing 120 may be configured to provide support for at least a portion of the components of the beam measuring device 100, and to prevent or reduce interference or influence on the beam detection caused by the surrounding environment. In the example shown in the figure, the casing 120 has a cuboid shape and includes a front cover 121, two side covers 122, a top cover 123 and a rear cover 124. The mounting base 110 and the casing 120 define a space for accommodating the detection unit 130 and the light impediment unit 140 (optional). Therefore, the mounting base 110 may also be regarded as a bottom cover of the casing 120.
The casing 120 is provided with an opening 125 that allows the beam to pass through to reach the detection unit 130. In the example shown in the figure, a first opening 125a and a second opening 125b are provided on the front cover 121 of the casing 120. The first opening 125a corresponds to the first detector 135a of the detection unit 130 and forms a first optical detection channel or path with the first detector 135a. The second opening 125b corresponds to the second detector 135b of the detection unit 130 and forms a second optical detection channel or path with the second detector 135b. The first optical detection channel and the second optical detection channel may have the same or different configurations, and may be selected according to detection needs. The first detector 135a and the second detector 135b may be CCD detectors or any other suitable detectors known in the art. The first detector 135a and the second detector 135b may be the same or different.
In the example shown in the figures, both the first opening 125a and the second opening 125b have a rectangular shape, but have different aspect ratios and dimensions. It should be understood that the number, shape, and size of the openings 125 may vary according to needs, for example, depending on the beam to be detected, the light impediment unit, and/or the detector.
Various mounting or fastening structures 127, 129 may be provided on the casing 120 for mounting or fastening various components or units of the beam measuring device 100, for example, the light impediment unit 140. The mounting or fastening structure 127 or the mounting or fastening structure 129 may be selected according to different light impediment units 140. In the examples shown in
In the examples shown in
The light impediment unit 140 further includes a frame 143. The frame 143 is used to carry or mount the light impediment 141. As shown, the frame 143 has a generally rectangular shape, and multiple light impediments 141 are arranged in parallel in the frame 143 in the form of a fence. The multiple light impediments 141 are arranged in parallel along the detection direction, whereby the beam can be comprehensively detected and evaluated in the desired detection direction. The detection direction can be determined as required. The light impediments 141 may have the same structure, or may have different structures (e.g., different sizes). The light impediments 141 may be spaced apart at the same pitch, or may be spaced apart at different pitches.
Each light impediment 141 is in the form of a columnar member. The columnar light impediment 141 extends perpendicular to the detection direction. In the examples shown in
In the examples shown in
The beam detection device 100 may further include an actuation means 160 for translating the detection unit 130 (detectors 135a and 135b) relative to the light source. The actuation means 160 may have any suitable structure for translating the detection unit 130 known to those skilled in the art. For example, when the beam size is large and the area of the detector of the detection unit 130 is small, the detector can be translated by the actuation means 160, so that the performance of different positions of the beam can be more comprehensively evaluated. It should be understood that the actuation means may also translate the light blocking member 141 to detect or evaluate the performance of the desired position of the beam.
The detection unit 130 may include an indicating rod 136 that translates with the detector. The indicating rod 136 may have a mark 138 for indicating the translational position of the detector. Accordingly, the casing 120 may be provided with an opening or window 126 for viewing the mark 138.
Referring to
Referring to
By comparing the size (e.g., width) of the shadow area 150 with the size (e.g., diameter) of the light impediment 141, the divergence of the beam can be determined. In
Further, after measuring the width W of the shadow area 150 (e.g., W1 in
The beam measuring device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to
As shown in
The light impediment unit 240 includes a first light impediment unit 240a and a second light impediment unit 240b. The first light impediment unit 240a is disposed in the first opening 225a of the casing 220. The first light impediment unit 240a corresponds to the first detector 235a of the detection unit 230 and forms a first optical detection channel or path with the first detector 235a. The second light impediment unit 240b is disposed in the second opening 225b of the casing 220. The second light impediment unit 240b serves corresponds to the second detector 235b of the detection unit 230 and forms a second optical detection channel or path with the second detector 235b.
The first light impediment unit 240a and the second light impediment unit 240b have similar structures but different sizes. The structure of the second light impediment unit 240b will be described below with reference to
As shown in
As used herein, a “light impediment” refers to an opaque entity that creates a single complete, continuous shadow area on the detector for detection of beam characteristics. For example, in the examples shown in
The columns 241a1, 241a2, 241b1 and 241b2 are fixedly mounted on the carrier 243 which in turn is fixedly attached to the casing 220. Fasteners such as bolts or screws are inserted into the holes of the carrier 243 and the holes of the casing 220 (the mounting or fastening structure 129 shown in
The beam measuring device 200 shown in
Referring to
The first light impediment 241a constituted by the columns 241a1 and 241a2 produces a first shadow area 151 on the second detector 235b. The second light impediment 241b constituted by the columns 241b1 and 241b2 produces a second shadow area 152 on the second detector 235b. The first light impediment 241a and the second light impediment 241b are arranged in parallel and spaced apart in the beam detection direction. Accordingly, the first shadow area 151 and the second shadow area 152 are spaced apart in the beam detection direction on the second detector 235b. The first shadow area 151 has a width W1 in the beam detection direction, and the second shadow area 152 has a width W2 in the beam detection direction.
Depending on the angle at which the beam is inclined relative to the direction of the predetermined optical axis, the size of the shadow area created by the light impediment may also vary. Therefore, the shadow area can be measured, and the directionality property of the beam (i.e., the angle by which the beam is inclined with respect to the predetermined optical axis direction) can be obtained based on the measurement result of the shadow area.
After measuring the widths W1 and W2, the inclination angle β of the beam can be calculated by the following formula: β=a tan(0.5*(W2−W1/L). If the beam transmission distance from the light source to the detector on the predetermined optical axis is known or measured to be L0, the directionality index ΔX can be calculated by the following formula: ΔX=L0*tan β.
It should be understood that the structures and arrangements of the first light impediment 241a and the second light impediment 241b are not necessarily limited to the specific examples shown in the figures, but can be changed as long as the functions described herein can be achieved.
Although the two embodiments of the beam measuring device according to the present disclosure have been described above with reference to
The beam measuring device described above can be applied to a sample processor. Sample processing instruments are generally used to analyze liquid samples including small suspended particles (e.g., biological particles, non-biological particles) or cells and/or to sort the particles or cells therein. Laser diodes are often used as the light source for the optical detection system of the sample processor. Focusing the beam emitted from the laser diode into the detection channel of the flow cell of the sample processor. As particles or cells in the sample pass through the detection channel, they are illuminated by a beam, thus emitting fluorescent or scattered light for detection.
However, the divergence of laser diodes is large, so the beam emitted from the laser diode needs to be collimated. The characteristics of the collimated laser beam determine the accuracy and efficiency of the sample processor. Therefore, some characteristics of the laser beam are very important for the detection of samples. After the laser beam has been processed (e.g., collimated or shaped), the characteristics of the beam need to be measured to determine whether the beam can meet detection requirements. The sample processor to which the above-described beam detection device is applied can also have a compact structure due to the shortened detection path. Furthermore, by exchanging the light impediment units of different structures, the desired characteristics of the beams in the sample processor can be individually detected.
The beam measuring method 10 according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to
Referring to
It should be understood that the method according to the present disclosure is not limited to the specific flowchart shown in
Although the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein. Without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims, those skilled in the art can make various changes to the exemplary embodiments. Provided that there is no contradiction, the features in the various embodiments can be combined with each other. Alternatively, a certain feature in the embodiment may also be omitted.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202210902030.6 | Jul 2022 | CN | national |