Methods and systems for expanding the dynamic range of a system are
provided. One method includes splitting fluorescent light emitted by a
particle into multiple light paths having different intensities,
detecting the fluorescent light in the multiple light paths with
different channels to generate multiple signals, and determining which of
the channels is operating in a linear range based on the multiple
signals. The method also includes altering the signal generated by the
channel operating in the linear range to compensate for the different
intensities. Another method includes illuminating a particle in multiple
illumination zones with light having different intensities and separately
detecting fluorescent light emitted by the particle while located in the
multiple illumination zones to generate multiple signals. The method also
includes determining which of the signals is located in a linear range
and altering the signal located in the linear range to compensate for the
different intensities.