Light-pipe array system

• US 20090059356A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triton Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scenterra, Inc.
• Inventors: So, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,512 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/350
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/008 using micromirror devices

Abstract

A light-pipe array system is provided. The system comprises a light projector that projects light, and a light-pipe array. The light-pipe array comprises a plurality of light-pipes. Each light-pipe comprises a dielectric transparent to the light, and an electrically conductive light barrier layer surrounding the dielectric. The barrier layer guides the light from an entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer to an exit of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer. Each light pipe also comprises a light-receiving element that increases throughput of the guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric. In one embodiment, the light-receiving element comprises an electrical conductor positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the dielectric. In another embodiment, the light-receiving element alternatively comprises a focusing element. The guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric is used in fabricating photosynthesized bio-materials such as, for example, oligonucleotides.

Claims

1. A light-pipe array system, the system comprising:

a light projector that projects light; and

a light-pipe array, wherein the light-pipe array comprises a plurality of light-pipes, and wherein each light-pipe comprises;

a dielectric transparent to the light;

an electrically conductive light barrier layer surrounding the dielectric, wherein the barrier layer guides the light from an entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer to an exit of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer; and

a light-receiving element that increases throughput of the guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light comprises UV light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-receiving element comprises an electrical conductor positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the dielectric, wherein the conductor includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end extends beyond the entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer to a location that is not surrounded by the barrier layer, and wherein the second end terminates substantially at the exit of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light-receiving element comprises a focusing element positioned beyond the entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer at a location that is not surrounded by the barrier layer.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a center of the focusing element is positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the dielectric.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the focusing element is substantially adjacent to or in the vicinity of the entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the focusing element comprises an item selected from the group consisting of focusing lens, diffractive focusing element, and combinations thereof.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer corresponding to one of the light-pipes within the light-pipe array is integral with or electrically connected to an electrically conductive light barrier layer corresponding to an adjacent one of the light-pipes within the light-pipe array.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer corresponding to one of the light-pipes within the light-pipe array is electrically isolated from an electrically conductive light barrier layer corresponding to an adjacent one of the light-pipes within the light-pipe array.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each light-pipe further comprises a substrate transparent to the light, wherein the dielectric is positioned on the substrate.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each light-pipe further comprises:

an electrical conductor transparent to the light, wherein the electrical conductor is positioned between the dielectric and the substrate;

an electrical insulator positioned on the barrier layer; and

an electrically sensing electrode positioned on a side of the barrier layer opposite the dielectric such that the insulator is position between the barrier layer and the sensing electrode;

wherein the electrical conductor, the barrier layer, and the sensing electrode are electrically connected to an electrical circuit.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electrical circuit detects variations in electrical properties during oligonucleotide hybridization.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the electrical circuit detects variations in electrical properties subsequent oligonucleotide hybridization.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric is used in fabricating sequences of nucleotides.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric is used in fabricating sequences of nucleotides at or in the vicinity of the exit of the dielectric.