Editing Flow cytometry (section)

=== Optics and electronics ===

==== Optical filters ====
Light emitted from [[fluorophore]]s are in a spectrum of wavelengths, so combining multiple fluorophores may cause overlap. To add specificity, [[optical filter]]s and [[Dichroic filter|dichroic mirrors]] are used to filter and move light to the detectors such as [[photomultiplier tube]]s (PMTs) or [[avalanche photodiodes]] (APD).<ref name=":1" /> Optical filters are designed as band pass (BP), long pass (LP), or short pass (SP) filters. Most flow cytometers uses dichroic mirrors and band pass filters to select specific bands of the optical spectrum.

==== Prisms, gratings, and spectral flow cytometry ====
Spectral flow cytometry uses [[Prism (optics)|prisms]] or [[diffraction grating]]s to disperse the emitted light of a marker across a detector array.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nolan JP, Condello D | title = Spectral flow cytometry | journal = Current Protocols in Cytometry | volume = Chapter 1 | issue = 1 | pages = 1.27.1–1.27.13 | date = January 2013 | pmid = 23292705 | pmc = 3556726 | doi = 10.1002/0471142956.cy0127s63 | isbn = 978-0471142959 }}</ref> This allows for the full spectra from each particle to be measured. The measured spectra from single cells are subsequently unmixed by using reference spectra of all used dyes and the autofluorescence spectrum. This may allow for a wider panel design and the application of new biological markers.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

==== Imaging flow cytometry ====
Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) captures multichannel images of cells.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Han Y, Gu Y, Zhang AC, Lo YH | title = Review: imaging technologies for flow cytometry | journal = Lab on a Chip | volume = 16 | issue = 24 | pages = 4639–4647 | date = November 2016 | pmid = 27830849 | pmc = 5311077 | doi = 10.1039/c6lc01063f }}</ref> Detectors used in imaging platforms can be equipped with [[charge-coupled device]] (CCD) or complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) to capture images of individual cells.