SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for fluorescence polarization detection. In one embodiment, an analyzing system includes a fluidic stream that guides an analyte in a detection area where the analyte emits or transmits light. One or more polarizing elements polarize the light into respective two or more different polarization components. One or more optical detectors receive the respective two or more polarization components and generate respective at least two signals in response. A processor is coupled to the optical detectors and configured to determine the polarization status of the light from the object based on the signals.

In another embodiment, method involves passing an analyte through a fluidic stream and directing light from the analyte into one or more polarizers that polarize the light into respective two or more different polarization components. The method further involves directing the two or more different polarization angle components into one or more optical detectors to generate two or more signals corresponding to the two or more different polarization components. A polarization status of the sample is determined based on the two or more signals.

In another embodiment, a method involves moving a cell marked with a fluorescent dye through a transparent channel and illuminating the cell with linearly polarized light causing light to luminesce from the biological sample. The light luminescing from the biological sample is separated into two or more different polarization angle components. The two or more different polarization angle components are directed into one or more optical detectors to generate two or more corresponding signals. A polarization of the cell is determined based on the two or more signals the cell is classified based on the polarization and a luminescent intensity of the cell.

These and other features and aspects of various embodiments may be understood in view of the following detailed discussion and accompanying drawings.

