Light collection system

Abstract

The present teachings provide a detection cell for a biological material and methods for detecting biological material including a photosensitive material optically coupled to an interior volume containing the biological material so to avoid optical components or an external light source.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A detection cell for a biological material, the detection cell comprising:
 an interior volume adapted to contain the biological material; and   a photosensitive material comprising a curved surface positioned around the interior volume, the photosensitive material being adapted to detect light emitted from the biological material in the interior volume.   
     
     
         22 . The detection cell of  claim 21 , wherein the photosensitive material forms the interior volume. 
     
     
         23 . The detection cell of  claim 22 , further comprising a sandwich structure comprising at least two charge coupled devices, the at least two charge coupled devices comprising the interior volume. 
     
     
         24 . The detection cell of  claim 22 , wherein the interior volume is adapted to contain a liquid or solid. 
     
     
         25 . The detection cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitive material forms an exterior layer of the interior volume. 
     
     
         26 . The detection cell of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitive material forms an interior layer of the interior volume. 
     
     
         27 . The detection cell of  claim 21 , wherein the photosensitive material is part of at least one of a charge coupled device, a photodiode, and a photomultiplier tube. 
     
     
         28 . The detection cell of  claim 27 , wherein the photosensitive material is part of a channel formed around the interior volume. 
     
     
         29 . The detection cell of  claim 28 , further comprising an avalanche breakdown system. 
     
     
         30 . The detection cell of  claim 21 , wherein the biological material comprises at least one of chemiluminescent labeled nucleic acids and chemiluminescent labeled cells. 
     
     
         31 . The detection cell of  claim 21 , wherein the interior volume is surrounded by the photosensitive material about an axis through the interior volume. 
     
     
         32 . The detection cell of  claim 21 , wherein the photosensitive material is optically coupled to the interior volume. 
     
     
         33 . A method for detection of a biological material, the method comprising:
 transporting the biological material to an interior volume;   providing a photosensitive material comprising a curved surface positioned around the interior volume;   emitting light from a luminescent reaction of the biological material; and   detecting the light emitted from the biological material in an interior volume of the detection cell, wherein the light is emitted without an external light source.   
     
     
         34 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 33 , further comprising channeling the emitted light within a waveguide. 
     
     
         35 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 34 , wherein channeling the emitted light further comprises reflecting the emitted light into the interior volume. 
     
     
         36 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 34 , wherein channeling the emitted light comprises refracting the emitted light in a wall of the detection cell. 
     
     
         37 . The method for detection of biological materials of  claim 33 , further comprising optically coupling the photosensitive material to the interior volume.