A particle characterization apparatus is disclosed comprising: a first light source; a second light source, a sample cell; a first detector and a second detector. The first light source is operable to illuminate a first region of a sample comprising dispersed particles within the sample cell with a first light beam along a first light beam axis so as to produce scattered light by interactions of the first light beam with the sample. The first detector is configured to detect the scattered light. The second light source is operable to illuminate a second region of the sample with a second light beam along a second light beam axis. The second detector is an imaging detector, configured to image the particles along an imaging axis using the second light beam. The first light beam axis is at an angle of at least 5 degrees to the second light beam axis.
In one general aspect, an electrophoretic measurement method is disclosed that includes providing a vessel that holds a dispersant, providing a first electrode immersed in the dispersant, and providing a second electrode immersed in the dispersant. A sample is placed at a location within the dispersant between the first and second electrodes with the sample being separated from the electrodes, an alternating electric field is applied across the electrodes, and the sample is illuminated with temporally coherent light. A frequency shift is detected in light from the step of illuminating that has interacted with the sample during the step of applying an alternating electric field, and a property of the sample is derived based on results of the step of detecting.
A method of characterising particles in a sample, comprising: obtaining a scattering measurement comprising a time series of measurements of scattered light from a detector, the scattered light produced by the interaction of an illuminating light beam with the sample; producing a corrected scattering measurement, comprising compensating for scattering contributions from contaminants by reducing a scattering intensity in at least some time periods of the scattering measurement; determining a particle characteristic from the corrected scattering measurement.
An apparatus for particle characterisation, comprising: a sample cell for holding a sample; a light source configured to illuminate the sample with an illuminating beam and a plurality of light detectors, each light detector configured to receive scattered light resulting from the interaction between the illuminating beam and the sample along a respective detector path, wherein each respective detector path is at substantially the same angle to the illuminating beam.
Disclosed herein is a method of characterizing particles in a sample. The method comprises illuminating the sample in a sample cell with a light beam, so as to produce scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; obtaining a time series of measurements of the scattered light from a single detector; determining, from the time series of measurements from the single detector, which measurements were taken at times when a large particle was contributing to the scattered light; determining a particle size distribution, including correcting for light scattered by the large particle.
A particle-sizing instrument is provided, comprising: a sample cell for receiving a sample comprising a plurality of particles; a light source configured to illuminate the sample with a light beam to produce scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the particles; a first optical system comprising a first and second optical element respectively configured to split a portion of the scattered light into a first and second portion of scattered light: a second optical system configured to receive the first and second portion of scattered light from the first optical system, and to recombine the first and second portion of scattered light to produce an interference signal at a detection location, and a detector configured to detect the interference signal at the detection location.
i; and solving an equation comprising
n using a non-linear solver; c) solving for x using a linear solver; d) calculate residual; e) repeat steps b) to d) while the residual is greater than a predefined exit tolerance.
A method and an apparatus for characterising a sample comprising particles is disclosed. The method comprises performing a first measurement on the sample using a first particle characterisation technique; flowing the sample from the first particle characterisation technique to a particle separating device; separating the sample with the particle separating device; and performing a second measurement on the separated sample. The apparatus is configured to perform the method, and comprises a measurement system for performing measurements according to a first particle characterisation technique and a particle separating device for separating samples comprising particles.
G01N 15/02 - Investigating particle size or size distribution
B01D 15/38 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by the separation mechanism involving specific interaction not covered by one or more of groups , e.g. affinity, ligand exchange or chiral chromatography
B01J 47/026 - Column or bed processes using columns or beds of different ion exchange materials in series
b) are combined to create a combined boundary (160). A particle boundary (165) of the at least one particle (140) is determined using the combined boundary. A parameter used by the edge detection method is adaptive, and determined with reference to the image (135, 171).
A particle characterisation apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating a sample with a light beam; a detector arranged to detect scattered light from the interaction of the light beam with the sample; a focus tuneable lens arranged to collect the scattered light for the detector from a scattering volume and/or to direct the light beam into the sample, a sample holder with an opposed pair of electrodes and configured to hold a sample in position in a measurement volume between the pair of electrodes such that a planar surface of the sample is aligned orthogonally to the electrode surfaces, the planar surface adjacent to the scattering volume, wherein adjustment of the focus tuneable lens results in adjustment of the relative position of the planar surface and the scattering volume by moving the scattering volume.
In one general aspect, an electrophoretic measurement method is disclosed that includes providing a vessel that holds a dispersant, providing a first electrode immersed in the dispersant, and providing a second electrode immersed in the dispersant. A sample is placed at a location within the dispersant between the first and second electrodes with the sample being separated from the electrodes, an alternating electric field is applied across the electrodes, and the sample is illuminated with temporally coherent light. A frequency shift is detected in light from the step of illuminating that has interacted with the sample during the step of applying an alternating electric field, and a property of the sample is derived based on results of the step of detecting.
A fluid characterization measuring instrument is disclosed that comprises a sample vessel for a bulk complex sample fluid having a capacity that is substantially larger than a domain size of the complex sample fluid and that is sufficiently large to cause bulk scattering effects to substantially exceed surface effects for the complex fluid sample, a coherent light source positioned to illuminate the bulk complex sample fluid in the sample vessel and a first fibre having a first end positioned to receive backscattered light from the sample after it has interacted with the sample. The first fibre can also be positioned close enough to an optical axis of the coherent light source and to the sample vessel to substantially decrease a contribution of multiply scattered light in the backscattered light. The instrument can further comprise a first photon-counting detector positioned to receive the backscattered light from a second end of the fibre, correlation logic responsive to the first photon-counting detector and single-scattering fluid property analysis logic responsive to the correlation logic and operative to derive at least one fluid property for the sample fluid.
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining properties of a surface. Embodiments disclosed include an apparatus for measuring a surface charge of a sample, comprising: a sample holder having an opposed pair of electrodes and configured to hold a sample in position in a measurement volume between the electrodes such that a planar surface of the sample is aligned orthogonal to the electrode surfaces; a measurement chamber for containing a measurement liquid and having an open end configured to receive the sample holder to position the electrodes in a preset orientation; a laser light source positioned and configured to direct a laser beam through the measurement chamber between the electrodes and parallel to the planar surface of the sample when the sample holder is received in the measurement chamber; and a detector positioned and configured to detect scattered light from the measurement volume, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow for detection of the scattered light by the detector over a range of distances from the surface of the sample.
A method of characterising particles in a sample, comprising: obtaining a scattering measurement comprising a time series of measurements of scattered light from a detector, the scattered light produced by the interaction of an illuminating light beam with the sample; producing a corrected scattering measurement, comprising compensating for scattering contributions from contaminants by reducing a scattering intensity in at least some time periods of the scattering measurement; determining a particle characteristic from the corrected scattering measurement.
Method of characterizing particles suspended in a fluid dispersant by light diffraction, comprising: obtaining measurement data from a detector element, the detector element being arranged to measure the intensity of scattered light; identifying a measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant; processing the measurement data to remove or separate the measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant; calculating a particle size distribution from the processed measurement. The detector element is one of a plurality of detector elements from which the measurement data is obtained. The detector elements are arranged to measure the intensity of scattered light at a plurality of scattering angles, the plurality of scattering angles distributed over a plurality of angles about an illumination axis. Identifying a measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant comprises identifying measured scattered light that is asymmetric about the illumination axis.
A cuvette carrier comprising: a plurality of walls defining a holding volume for a cuvette; a first and second transmissive region included in the plurality of walls; and a first optical polariser arranged to polarise light passing through the first transmissive region.
Disclosed herein is a method of characterizing particles in a sample. The method comprises illuminating the sample in a sample cell with a light beam, so as to produce scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; obtaining a time series of measurements of the scattered light from a single detector; determining, from the time series of measurements from the single detector, which measurements were taken at times when a large particle was contributing to the scattered light; determining a particle size distribution, including correcting for light scattered by the large particle.
Disclosed herein is a method of characterizing particles in a sample. The method comprises illuminating the sample in a sample cell with a light beam, so as to produce scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; obtaining a time series of measurements of the scattered light from a single detector; determining, from the time series of measurements from the single detector, which measurements were taken at times when a large particle was contributing to the scattered light; determining a particle size distribution, including correcting for light scattered by the large particle.
A particle characterisation instrument, comprising a light source, a sample cell, an optical element between the light source and sample cell and a detector. The optical element is configured to modify light from the light source to create a modified beam, the modified beam: a) interfering with itself to create an effective beam in the sample cell along an illumination axis and b) diverging in the far field to produce a dark region along the illumination axis that is substantially not illuminated at a distance from the sample cell. The detector is at the distance from the sample cell, and is configured to detect light scattered from the effective beam by a sample in the sample cell, the detector positioned to detect forward or back scattered light along a scattering axis that is at an angle of 0° to 10° from the illumination axis.
An apparatus for particle characterisation, comprising: a sample cell for holding a sample; a light source configured to illuminate the sample with an illuminating beam and a plurality of light detectors, each light detector configured to receive scattered light resulting from the interaction between the illuminating beam and the sample along a respective detector path, wherein each respective detector path is at substantially the same angle to the illuminating beam.
Disclosed in one general aspect is a particle interaction characterization instrument that comprises a flow cell for a liquid sample that includes suspended particles and a light source positioned to illuminate the suspended particles in the liquid sample fluid in the sample vessel. A first scattering detector is positioned to receive light from the light source that has been scattered by the particles suspended in sample fluid in the sample vessel at at least one predetermined scattering angle. An ultraviolet transmittance detector is positioned to receive a portion of the light from the source that passes through the suspended particles without being absorbed or scattered. Interaction analysis logic is responsive to both the scattering detector and the ultraviolet detector, and is operative to derive at least one interaction property for the suspended particles.
Disclosed herein is a method of characterizing particles in a sample. The method comprises illuminating the sample in a sample cell with a light beam, so as to produce scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; obtaining a time series of measurements of the scattered light from a single detector; determining, from the time series of measurements from the single detector, which measurements were taken at times when a large particle was contributing to the scattered light; determining a particle size distribution, including correcting for light scattered by the large particle.
A cuvette carrier comprising: a plurality of walls defining a holding volume for a cuvette; a first and second transmissive region included in the plurality of walls; and a first optical polarizer arranged to polarize light passing through the first transmissive region.
r. The method comprises: evaluating a value of an integration or differential of the data; determining the parameter, based on an analytical expression that includes the value of the integral or differential of the data, the parameter corresponding with a physical property of a sample from which the Taylorgram data was obtained.
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining properties of a surface. Embodiments disclosed include an apparatus for measuring a surface charge of a sample, comprising: a sample holder having an opposed pair of electrodes and configured to hold a sample in position in a measurement volume between the electrodes such that a planar surface of the sample is aligned orthogonal to the electrode surfaces; a measurement chamber for containing a measurement liquid and having an open end configured to receive the sample holder to position the electrodes in a preset orientation; a laser light source positioned and configured to direct a laser beam through the measurement chamber between the electrodes and parallel to the planar surface of the sample when the sample holder is received in the measurement chamber; and a detector positioned and configured to detect scattered light from the measurement volume, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow for detection of the scattered light by the detector over a range of distances from the surface of the sample.
Method of characterizing particles suspended in a fluid dispersant by light diffraction, comprising: obtaining measurement data from a detector element, the detector element being arranged to measure the intensity of scattered light; identifying a measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant; processing the measurement data to remove or separate the measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant; calculating a particle size distribution from the processed measurement. The detector element is one of a plurality of detector elements from which the measurement data is obtained. The detector elements are arranged to measure the intensity of scattered light at a plurality of scattering angles, the plurality of scattering angles distributed over a plurality of angles about an illumination axis. Identifying a measurement contribution arising from light scattered by inhomogeneities in the dispersant comprises identifying measured scattered light that is asymmetric about the illumination axis.
A particle characterization apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating a sample with a light beam; a detector arranged to detect scattered light from the interaction of the light beam with the sample; and a focus tuneable lens arranged to collect the scattered light for the detector from a scattering volume and/or to direct the light beam into the sample.
A particle characterization apparatus is disclosed comprising: a sample cell for holding a sample, a light source for producing a light beam for illuminating the sample in the sample cell, thereby producing scattered light by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; a focussing lens for focussing the light beam within the sample; and a detector for detecting the backscattered light along a detection optical path that intersects the focussed light beam within the sample. The intersection of the light beam and the detection optical path in the sample define a detection region. The apparatus comprises an optical arrangement for varying the volume of the detection region.
An apparatus (10) for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell (22) configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder (22) for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage (20) to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell (22) in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (22), a detector (18) for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (22), a Raman spectrometer (16) arranged to obtain a spectrum including the Raman spectral range from the illuminated particle, and characterizing logic operative to characterize the particle based on image processing operations performed on the acquired image and based on the Raman spectrum. The holder cell (22) comprises a first plate (34) and a second plate (36) that are separated by a predetermined distance defining the planar volume depth.
An instrument and a method for measuring the characteristics of particles in a sample. The instrument comprises a light source operable to provide a light beam and defining an illumination axis; a sample cell placed on the illumination axis; a scattered light detector positioned to receive scattered light along a detection path from a sample in the sample cell, the scattered light produced by the interaction of the light beam with the sample; and a filter changer positioned between the sample cell and the scattered light detector. The filter changer comprises at least one optical filter and an actuator. The actuator is operable to move each of the at least one optical filter between a first position in which the detection path does not pass through the optical filter, and a second position in which the detection path passes through the optical filter.
A fluid characterization measuring instrument is disclosed that comprises a sample vessel for a bulk complex sample fluid having a capacity that is substantially larger than a domain size of the complex sample fluid and that is sufficiently large to cause bulk scattering effects to substantially exceed surface effects for the complex fluid sample, a coherent light source positioned to illuminate the bulk complex sample fluid in the sample vessel and a first fibre having a first end positioned to receive backscattered light from the sample after it has interacted with the sample. The first fibre can also be positioned close enough to an optical axis of the coherent light source and to the sample vessel to substantially decrease a contribution of multiply scattered light in the backscattered light. The instrument can further comprise a first photon-counting detector positioned to receive the backscattered light from a second end of the fibre, correlation logic responsive to the first photon-counting detector and single-scattering fluid property analysis logic responsive to the correlation logic and operative to derive at least one fluid property for the sample fluid.
A particle characterization apparatus is disclosed comprising: a first light source; a second light source, a sample cell; a first detector and a second detector. The first light source is operable to illuminate a first region of a sample comprising dispersed particles within the sample cell with a first light beam along a first light beam axis so as to produce scattered light by interactions of the first light beam with the sample. The first detector is configured to detect the scattered light. The second light source is operable to illuminate a second region of the sample with a second light beam along a second light beam axis. The second detector is an imaging detector, configured to image the particles along an imaging axis using the second light beam. The first light beam axis is at an angle of at least 5 degrees to the second light beam axis.
A particle characterization apparatus having first and second body parts, a light source, a sample cell and a detector. The light source illuminates dispersed particles within the sample cell with a light beam along an axis to produce scattered light. The sample cell has first and second walls. The walls have internal surfaces arranged to be in contact with the sample and an opposite external surface. The light beam passes through the external surface of the first wall, through the internal surface of the first wall, through the sample, through the internal surface of the second wall, and through the external surface of the second wall. The light source is fixed to the first body part, which engages with the first wall. The detector is fixed to the second body part, which engages with the second wall. The first and second body parts are separable to enable access to the internal surfaces of the walls for cleaning.
A particle characterization apparatus is disclosed comprising: a light source; a sample cell; a collecting lens and a detector. The light source is operable to illuminate a sample comprising dispersed particles within the sample cell with a light beam along a light beam axis. The light beam axis passes through a first wall of the sample cell, through the sample, and through a second wall of the sample cell, so as to produce scattered light by interactions with the sample. The detector is configured to detect light scattered from the sample. The second wall of the sample cell comprises a lens with a convex external surface through which the light beam axis passes. The collecting lens is arranged to collect and focus scattered light leaving the sample cell onto the detector, and comprises an aspheric surface.
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 array assembly.
G01N 21/33 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using ultraviolet light
The invention relates to analyzing and controlling collection of liquid eluate output from a separation process, in particular by use of a measure of suspended material in the eluate based on a light scattering detection method. Exemplary embodiments include a method of controlling collection of a sample of a liquid eluate output from a separation process. The method includes exposing the liquid eluate to light from a light source; detecting light from the light source scattered by suspended material in the eluate at a detector; and beginning and ending collection of the sample when a measure of the suspended material derived from the detected scattered light enters and leaves a predetermined range.
G01N 30/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by separation into components using adsorption, absorption or similar phenomena or using ion-exchange, e.g. chromatography
G01N 21/53 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
G01N 33/68 - Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving proteins, peptides or amino acids
B01D 15/24 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the treatment of the fractions to be distributed
Viscometers and viscometry methods are disclosed. In one general aspect, a fluid is driven through capillary tubes with different inside volumes, and successive images of the fluid are acquired as it advances through the inside volume of the capillary tubes. A range of different viscosity values of the fluid are derived from the successive acquired images, and results of this step are reported in a manner that provides insight into non-Newtonian effects in the fluid. In another general aspect, a viscosity value is selected based on detected pressure levels.
G01N 11/06 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties by measuring flow of the material through a restricted passage, e.g. tube, aperture by timing the outflow of a known quantity
G01N 11/04 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties by measuring flow of the material through a restricted passage, e.g. tube, aperture
G01N 11/00 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties
The disclosure relates to methods and device for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. A probe may be inserted into a first of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the first sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the first sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the first sample may be acquired. The probe may be inserted into a second of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the second sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the second sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the second sample may be acquired.
Apparatus (200) for measuring the particle-size distribution of a sample by light-scattering comprises a focusing optic (202) for producing a converging beam (203) generally along a propagation axis z. The apparatus comprises a mounting system which allows a dry sample cell (208A) and a wet sample cell (208B) to be mounted in the converging beam at different times and in respective planes which are mutually inclined so that in use of the apparatus respective positions (212, 214) at which transmitted light is focused for the two cells have a difference in displacement from the z axis that is less than for the case where the respective planes are substantially parallel. This allows use of a cheaper and less complex translation stage within the apparatus for mounting an optical detector for locating the two focus positions.
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining properties of a surface. Embodiments disclosed include an apparatus for measuring a surface charge of a sample, comprising: a sample holder having an opposed pair of electrodes and configured to hold a sample in position in a measurement volume between the electrodes such that a planar surface of the sample is aligned orthogonal to the electrode surfaces; a measurement chamber for containing a measurement liquid and having an open end configured to receive the sample holder to position the electrodes in a preset orientation; a laser light source positioned and configured to direct a laser beam through the measurement chamber between the electrodes and parallel to the planar surface of the sample when the sample holder is received in the measurement chamber; and a detector positioned and configured to detect scattered light from the measurement volume, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow for detection of the scattered light by the detector over a range of distances from the surface of the sample.
G01N 27/42 - Measuring deposition or liberation of materials from an electrolyte; Coulometry, i.e. measuring coulomb-equivalent of material in an electrolyte
G01R 29/24 - Arrangements for measuring quantities of charge
G01N 21/51 - Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule
43.
Dynamic light scattering based microrheology of complex fluids with improved single-scattering mode detection
A fluid characterization measuring instrument comprises a sample vessel (14) for a bulk complex sample fluid having a capacity that is substantially larger than a domain size of the complex sample fluid and that is sufficiently large to cause bulk scattering effects to substantially exceed surface effects for the complex fluid sample, a coherent light source (12) positioned to illuminate the bulk complex sample fluid in the sample vessel and a first fibre (16) having a first end positioned to receive backscattered light from the sample after it has interacted with the sample. The first fibre is positioned close enough to an optical axis of the coherent light source and to the sample vessel to substantially decrease a contribution of multiply scattered light in the backscattered light. The instrument further comprises a first photon-counting detector (20) positioned to receive the backscattered light from a second end of the fibre, correlation logic (22) responsive to the first photon-counting detector and single-scattering fluid property analysis logic responsive to the correlation logic and operative to derive at least one fluid property for the sample fluid.
In one general aspect, an electrophoretic measurement method is disclosed that includes providing a vessel that holds a dispersant, providing a first electrode immersed in the dispersant, and providing a second electrode immersed in the dispersant. A sample is placed at a location within the dispersant between the first and second electrodes with the sample being separated from the electrodes, an alternating electric field is applied across the electrodes, and the sample is illuminated with temporally coherent light. A frequency shift is detected in light from the step of illuminating that has interacted with the sample during the step of applying an alternating electric field, and a property of the sample is derived based on results of the step of detecting.
Methods and apparatus for measuring particle characteristics are disclosed. In one aspect, an amount of light arising from interaction between light and a suspended sample is detected simultaneously with the acquisition of a photon count from a different direction. At least one measure of particle characteristics can then be derived based at least in part on timing between information from the steps of acquiring and detecting.
patents
