FLOW CYTOMETERS INCLUDING TILTED BEAM SHAPING OPTICAL COMPONENTS, AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

Flow cytometers including tilted beam shaping optical components are provided. In certain embodiments, the subject flow cytometers include a flow cell, a light source configured to produce a beam for irradiating particles in the flow cell at an interrogation point, and a tilted beam shaping optical component positioned between the light source and the flow cell. In such embodiments, the tilted beam shaping optical component is configured to generate beam ellipticity by creating astigmatism in the beam. In some embodiments, the tilted beam shaping optical component is a lens. In other embodiments, the tilted beam shaping optical component is a concave mirror. Methods of analyzing a sample using a flow cytometer including a tilted beam shaping optical component are also provided.