What process follows the amplification of the voltage pulse in a flow cytometer?

After the amplification of the voltage pulse in a flow cytometer, the next critical step is digitization. This process involves converting the amplified analog signal, which represents the characteristics of the cells or particles as they pass through the laser, into a digital format that can be processed by computer systems.

The digitization step is essential because it allows for the precise quantification of the signal intensity, enabling detailed analysis of each particle based on specific parameters such as size, granularity, and fluorescence. This conversion to a digital signal is necessary for subsequent data processing, storage, and analysis, which are fundamental for obtaining meaningful results from the flow cytometric assay.

Following the digitization, further processing steps may occur, such as binning or acquisition, but the immediate process after amplification is indeed digitization. This sequence is essential for the functionality of flow cytometry, as it ensures that the continuous signals generated during the detection of particles are appropriately transformed for further quantitative analysis.