The electronics system is used to change the light signals detected into electronic pulses that a computer can process. The data can then be studied to ascertain information about a large number of cells over a short period. Information on the heterogeneity and different subsets within cell populations can be identified and measured. Some instruments have a sorting feature in the electronics system that can be used to charge and deflect particles so that certain cell populations can be sorted for further analysis.
The data are usually presented in the form of single parameter histograms or as plots of correlated parameters, which are referred to as cytograms. Cytograms may display data in the from of a dot plot, a contour plot or a density plot.