Nozzle and method of illuminating particles

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a nozzle coupled to a reflector which is oriented to reflect electromagnetic radiation at particles flowing through the nozzle and a method of illuminating a flow of particles with a nozzle coupled to a reflector.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A nozzle comprising:
 an opening for a flow of particles to flow through;   a reflector coupled to the nozzle, the reflector having a reflective surface and being oriented to reflect electromagnetic radiation at the flow of particles.   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the reflector is integral to the nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle comprises an ellipsoidal reflective surface or a paraboloidal reflective surface. 
     
     
         4 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 an inspection zone of the flow of particles; and 
 a source of electromagnetic radiation oriented to illuminate the inspection zone of the flow of particles. 
 
     
     
         5 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising a focal point of the reflective surface and wherein the focal point of the reflective surface overlaps the inspection zone of the flow of particles. 
     
     
         6 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface includes a metal shape embedded in the nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface includes a reflective coating applied to the nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured so that a focal point of the reflective surface is located external to the nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation through the nozzle to illuminate the reflector. 
     
     
         10 . A flow cytometer comprising the nozzle of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of illuminating a flow of particles comprising:
 providing a nozzle having a reflector coupled to the nozzle, the reflector having a reflective surface and being oriented to reflect electromagnetic radiation;   supplying a flow of particles;   directing the flow of particles through the nozzle; and   reflecting electromagnetic radiation with the reflector toward the flow of particles.   
     
     
         12 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a nozzle with the reflector integral to the nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a nozzle having an ellipsoidal reflective surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a nozzle having a paraboloidal reflective surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising: providing a source of electromagnetic radiation oriented to illuminate an inspection zone of the flow of particles. 
     
     
         16 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising orienting the reflector so that a focus of the reflective surface overlaps the inspection zone of the flow of particles. 
     
     
         17 . The method of illuminating as claimed  claim 11 , further comprising: embedding a metal reflective surface in the nozzle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of illuminating as claimed  claim 11 , further comprising: applying a reflective coating to the nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of illuminating as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising: configuring the nozzle so that the focus of the reflective surface is located external to the nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of illuminating as claimed  claim 11 , further comprising: configuring the nozzle so as to receive electromagnetic radiation through the nozzle to illuminate the reflector.