Method of forming polymeric microarray support

Abstract

In combination, a polymeric microarray support for an optical assay arrangement, that includes an optical detection instrument having a known depth of focus for detecting light emitted from said microarray support. The polymeric microarray support has a support surface made from a polymeric support material having a thickness varying over the area of the support surface by a thickness variation value. The said support includes formed microfeatures made up of grooves arranged to have a predetermined depth at the time of forming, the groove depth being selected based on the depth of focus of the optical detection instrument and the thickness of the support. The sum of the depth for the grooves and the thickness variation value of the polymeric support surface substantially corresponds to the depth of focus of the optical detection instrument in order to reduce noise, the polymeric support surface having attached thereto probe molecules to form binding sites.

1 . In combination, a polymeric microarray support for an optical assay arrangement, said optical assay arrangement comprising an optical detection instrument having a known depth of focus for detecting light emitted from said microarray support, said polymeric microarray support comprising:
 a support surface made from a polymeric support material and having a thickness varying over the area of said support surface by a thickness variation value, said support having formed microfeatures comprising grooves arranged to have a predetermined depth at the time of forming, said groove depth being selected based on the depth of focus of said optical detection instrument and the thickness of said support wherein the sum of the depth for said grooves and said thickness variation value of said polymeric support surface substantially corresponds to said depth of focus of said optical detection instrument in order to reduce noise,   said polymeric support surface having attached thereto probe molecules to form binding sites.   
     
     
         2 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the grooves are angled at a tilt angle (α); said tilt angle (α) of the grooves being angled relative to said polymeric support surface and to the refracting index of said polymeric support material to provide a desired reflectivity of said polymeric support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said grooves are rounded. 
     
     
         4 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said grooves are formed with straight edges. 
     
     
         5 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said grooves are formed in more than one direction on said support. 
     
     
         6 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between individual grooves on said support is constant. 
     
     
         7 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between individual grooves varies over the surface area of said support. 
     
     
         8 . The combination according to  claim 1 , including an additional layer having a higher refractive index than that of the support material to achieve an optical waveguide. 
     
     
         9 . The combination according to  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of said additional layer provides a desired transparency of said support. 
     
     
         10 . The combination according to  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of said additional layer provides a desired reflectivity of said support. 
     
     
         11 . The combination according to  claim 1 , including a diffractive grating as a microfeature of said support, said diffractive grating being superimposed on at least a portion of said grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said support is provided with light absorbing pigments. 
     
     
         13 . The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said grooves form pillars. 
     
     
         14 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein said pillars are provided with an additional layer, the refractive index of said additional layer being selected to be larger than the refractive index of said support to achieve an optical waveguide. 
     
     
         15 . The combination according to  claim 14 , wherein said support comprises particles located between said pillars.