| abstract |
A coincidence arbitration system for a sorting cytomteter which detects and sorts particles using a flow chamber and a stream of droplets. Those droplets containing selected particles are sorted by selectively applying a charge thereto and passing the droplets through deflection plates. After detection, the particle data is delayed and analyzed to make sort decisions. The delay is for a period of one and one fourth droplet time periods less than the time the particle is formed into a droplet. At the time the command is issued creating the charge on the droplet to be formed, the coincidence arbitration circuit looks four quarter droplet times ahead and behind of the event to determine whether a coincidence is occurring, and if so, whether the coincidence is with a similar type of particle or a different type of particle. Based on this information, appropriated sort or no-sort commands are issued. |