Apparatus for detecting light scattered by a small particle (e.g., a blood
cell) irradiated by a light beam comprises one or more photodetectors and
a plurality of optical fibers that serve to optically couple the scattered
light and the photodetector(s). To enhance the efficiency of such optical
coupling, a portion of each of the optical fibers in the vicinity of its
light-collecting end is supported so that its optical axis extends towards
the light-scattering source. By this arrangement, scattered light enters
each fiber from a direction substantially parallel to the fiber axis.
Preferably, the light-collecting ends of the optical fibers are supported
on a concave surface and so that the respective optical axes of the fibers
converge at a point representing the apparent position of the
light-scattering source, taking into account the refractive effects of an
optical flow cell through which scattering is detected. Preferably, both
forward- and back-scattered light are detected by the apparatus of the
invention.
