Array based sample characterization

Abstract

An optical sample characterization method is disclosed comprising: holding a sample in a sample container proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, wherein the sample container has a first end and a second end; setting up a gradient between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; illuminating the sample between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; and detecting light received from the illuminated sample from the first end of the sample container to the second end of the sample container by the two-dimensional an-ay assembly.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An optical sample characterization instrument, comprising:
 a sample holder,   a first illumination source positioned to illuminate the sample in the sample holder,   a second illumination source positioned to illuminate the sample in the sample holder,   a first two-dimensional detector array positioned to detect light from the second illumination source that is transmitted through and not absorbed by the sample, and   a second two-dimensional detector array positioned to detect light scattered by the sample from the first illumination source.   
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the second two-dimensional array detector is positioned at an angle with respect to the first two-dimensional detector array. 
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the sample holder is a capillary tube and/or is placed against the first two dimensional array detector. 
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein: i) the instrument is configured to switch or strobe the first and second illumination source, such that they interact separately with the sample and/or the second illumination source is a UV source. 
     
     
         6 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the instrument is configured to determine viscosity. 
     
     
         7 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the instrument is configured to determine refractive index using an output from the second detector. 
     
     
         8 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the instrument comprises image analysis logic, and is configured to determine molecular weight from an output from the second detector. 
     
     
         9 . The instrument of  claim 2 , further comprising a separation column, wherein the first and second two-dimensional detector arrays are positioned to analyse the output from the separation column. 
     
     
         10 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second illumination source are configured to illuminate a common or overlapping region of the sample, and the first two-dimensional light detector array and the second two-dimensional light detector array are positioned to detect light from the common or overlapping region. 
     
     
         11 . An optical sample characterization method, comprising:
 supporting a sample in a sample holder proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly,   illuminating the sample,   detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors in the array assembly,   deriving information about a first characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the first subset of the detectors,   detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors in the array assembly, and   deriving information about a second characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the second subset of the detectors.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of supporting supports the sample proximate an two-dimensional array detector that includes a pair of detector arrays placed at an angle with respect to each other, and wherein the first characteristic is derived from a first of the detector arrays and the second characteristic is derived from a second of the detector arrays. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of deriving information about a first characteristic derives a scattering measurement for the sample; and wherein the step of deriving information about a second characteristic derives a transmission measurement for the sample. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of illuminating includes illuminating the sample with first and second different types of illumination, wherein the step of detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors detects light from the first type of illumination, and wherein the step of detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors detects light from the second type of illumination. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first type of illumination and the second type of illumination illuminate a region of the sample, and the step of detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors detects light from the region, and the step of detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors detects light from the region. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of supporting the sample supports the sample in a capillary tube and wherein the step of supporting the sample includes drawing the sample into the capillary tube. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of supporting the sample includes holding a flowing sample received from a separation column. 
     
     
         18 . An optical sample characterization instrument, comprising:
 at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly;   a sample holder for supporting a sample proximate the at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly,   a light source for illuminating the sample,   wherein the instrument is configured to:
 i) detect light received by a first subset of the detectors in the array assembly and to derive information about a first characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the first subset of the detectors, and 
 ii) detect light received by a second subset of the detectors in the array assembly, and to derive information about a second characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the second subset of the detectors. 
   
     
     
         19 . The instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the sample holder is a capillary tube and/or is placed against the first two dimensional array detector. 
     
     
         20 . The instrument of  claim 18 , wherein: i) the instrument is configured to switch or strobe the first and second illumination source, such that they interact separately with the sample and/or the second illumination source is a UV source. 
     
     
         21 . The instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the instrument is configured to determine viscosity. 
     
     
         22 . The instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the instrument is configured to determine refractive index using an output from the second detector. 
     
     
         23 . The instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the instrument comprises image analysis logic, and is configured to determine molecular weight from an output from the second detector. 
     
     
         24 . The instrument of  claim 18 , further comprising a separation column, wherein the first and second two-dimensional detector arrays are positioned to analyse the output from the separation column.