Multi-featured arrays with reflective coating
First Claim
1. A method of interrogating an addressable array unit having a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, a light transmitting spacer layer on a front side of the reflecting layer, and a plurality of features on a front side of the spacer layer, the method comprising:
- (a) for each of multiple features, illuminating the feature simultaneously with constructively interfering interrogating light which is both reflected and non-reflected from the reflecting layer; and
(b) detecting light emitted from respective features in response to the interrogating light.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus of interrogating an addressable array unit, which includes a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, and a plurality of features on a front side of the array. The method may include, for each of multiple features, illuminating the feature simultaneously with reflected and non-reflected interrogating light. A light emitted from respective features is detected. Either or both, constructive interference of interrogating light at the features, or constructive interference of light emitted from the features, can be obtained to allow lowering of light power from the source, enhanced signal, or reduced noise, or combinations of the foregoing. High depth discrimination may also be obtained without the need for a confocal detection system with conventional pinhole.
57 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of interrogating an addressable array unit having a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, a light transmitting spacer layer on a front side of the reflecting layer, and a plurality of features on a front side of the spacer layer, the method comprising:
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(a) for each of multiple features, illuminating the feature simultaneously with constructively interfering interrogating light which is both reflected and non-reflected from the reflecting layer; and
(b) detecting light emitted from respective features in response to the interrogating light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of interrogating an addressable array unit having a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, a light transmitting spacer layer on a front side of the reflecting layer, and a plurality of light emitting features on a front side of the spacer layer, the method comprising:
detecting light emitted from respective features, wherein the emitted light wavelength, a detection angle, and a spacer thickness are such that the detected light is a combination of constructively interfering emitted light which is reflected and non-reflected from the reflecting layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of interrogating an addressable array unit having a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, a light transmitting spacer layer on a front side of the reflecting layer, and a plurality of features on a front side of the spacer layer which emit light of at least two wavelengths, the method comprising:
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detecting the emitted light of different wavelengths at respective different detection angles;
wherein the spacer thickness, and each emitted light wavelength and corresponding detection angle are such that each detected different wavelength emitted light is a combination of constructively interfering reflected and non-reflected emitted light. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. A method of interrogating an addressable array unit having a substrate, a light reflecting layer on a front side of the substrate, and a plurality of features positioned forward of the light reflecting layer, using an apparatus having a light source to provide an interrogating light to illuminate array features and a detector to detect light emitted from array features in response to the interrogating light, the method comprising:
adjusting a detection angle. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A computer program product including a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon which, when loaded into a computer of an array scanning apparatus capable of adjusting a detection angle, causes the apparatus to adjust the detection angle based on an identification read from an array unit carrying the array.
Specification