Light collection system

Abstract

The present teachings provide a detection cell for a biological material and methods for detecting biological material including a photosensitive material optically coupled to an interior volume containing the biological material so to avoid optical components or an external light source.

1 . A detection cell for a biological material, the detection cell comprising:
 an interior volume adapted to contain the biological material; and   a photosensitive material optically coupled to the interior volume, the photosensitive material being adapted to detect light emitted from the biological material in the interior volume.   
     
     
         2 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 1 , wherein the photosensitive material forms the interior volume. 
     
     
         3 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 2 , further comprising a sandwich structure comprising at least two charge coupled devices, wherein the at least two charge coupled devices comprise the interior volume. 
     
     
         4 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 2 , the interior volume is adapted to contain a liquid or solid. 
     
     
         5 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 2 , wherein the photosensitive material forms an exterior layer of the interior volume. 
     
     
         6 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 2 , wherein the photosensitive material forms an interior layer of the interior volume. 
     
     
         7 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 1 , wherein the photosensitive material is part of at least one of a charge coupled device, a photodiode, and a photomultiplier tube. 
     
     
         8 . The detection cell 0 for biological material of  claim 7 , wherein the photosensitive material is part of a channel formed around the interior volume. 
     
     
         9 . The detection cell for biological material of claim  18 , further comprising an avalanche breakdown system. 
     
     
         10 . The detection cell for biological material of  claim 2 , wherein the biological material comprises at least one of chemiluminescent labeled nucleic acids and chemiluminescent labeled cells. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detection of a biological material, the method comprising:
 transporting the biological material to an interior volume;   providing a photo sensitive material optically coupled to the interior volume;   emitting light from a luminescent reaction of the biological material; and   detecting the light emitted from the biological material in an interior volume of the detection cell, wherein the light is emitted without an external light source.   
     
     
         12 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 11 , further comprising channeling the emitted light within a waveguide. 
     
     
         13 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 12 , wherein channeling the emitted light further comprises reflecting the emitted light into the interior volume. 
     
     
         14 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 12 , wherein channeling the emitted light comprises refracting the emitted light in a wall of the detection cell. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled)