The scanning flow cytometer modified for measurement of two-dimensional light-scattering pattern of individual particles

We theoretically consider a new approach for measurement of the two-dimensional light-scattering patterns (2D LSP) of individual particles (for example, blood cells). Unlike the original optical scheme of the scanning flow cytometer that integrates scattering intensity over the azimuth angle, the new scheme allows us to measure the 2D LSP. The approach assumes measurement of the integral distribution of intensity on the fixed plane with subsequent reconstruction of the pattern via solving a first-kind integral equation. The last problem is ill-posed and we solve this equation by the standard regularization method. Error sources of the new approach are discussed from a comparison of the initial and reconstructed 2D LSPs for non-spherical particles.