FALS PMT's
Brian Binder (BBINDER@uga.cc.uga.edu)
Wed, 21 Jun 95 13:33:32 EDT
Although you would think that the sensitivity of the forward scatter
detector is not the limiting factor for measuring forward scatter on
small particles, we have found that using a PMT instead of a photo-
diode definately does result in increased sensitivity. (It must be a
signal:noise thing...)
We routinely measure forward scatter signals for sub-micron cells
both on a FACScan and a Coulter 753. It's certainly a challenge
keeping the noise down, but it can be done.
See Dusenberry and Frankel 1994 (Limnology and Oceanography 39:206-210) for
details about the FACSCAN. A manuscript describing the setup for the 753
is under review (Binder et al., Deep-Sea Research). See also work by
Robertson and Button who I think also use a FALS PMT for their bacterial
work.
-Brian Binder
Dept. Marine Sciences
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30683