Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include an “always on” type that respond to multiple frequencies of radiation used during processing and detection so as to return signals during successive cycles of imaging.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations and layouts that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include offset layouts that may be useful in detecting the fiducials in different types and approaches in imaging, and that may help to distinguish regions of the array from one another in image data.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include a non-closed shape that may encode information, allow for bubbles to escape during manufacture, and provide additional advantages over closed shape fiducials.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducial markers may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducial markers may include features and materials that are provided on or in the support of a patterned array and that return at least a portion of incident light by reflection. The fiducial markers may form gratings or other encoding configurations that assist in image processing, alignment, or other aspects of processing of the patterned array.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on a patterned array of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducial markers may have configurations and layouts that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducial markers may include non-rectilinear layouts that may provide for more robust location of both the fiducial markers and sites of the patterned array.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include a non-closed shape that may encode information, allow for bubbles to escape during manufacture, and provide additional advantages over closed shape fiducials.

Abstract: An example method includes providing a working stack having a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and a radiation-absorbing material disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The working stack includes a cavity therein having a designated liquid. A bonding interface is defined between the radiation-absorbing material and at least one of the first substrate layer or the second substrate layer. The bonding interface has a film of the designated liquid. The method also includes directing radiation onto the bonding interface to form a perimeter seal. The perimeter seal separates the cavity from an outer area of the bonding interface. The method also includes directing the radiation onto the outer area of the bonding interface to secure the first and second substrate layers together. The perimeter seal impedes an ingress of bubbles from the outer area into the cavity as the radiation is directed onto the outer area.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include features and materials that are provided on or in the support of the array and that return at least a portion of incident light by reflection. The fiducials may form gratings or other encoding configurations that assist in image processing, alignment, or other aspects of processing of the array.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations and layouts that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include offset layouts that may be useful in detecting the fiducials in different types and approaches in imaging, and that may help to distinguish regions of the array from one another in image data.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include an “always on” type that respond to multiple frequencies of radiation used during processing and detection so as to return signals during successive cycles of imaging.

Abstract: Fiducial markers are provided on patterned arrays of the type that may be used for molecular analysis, such as sequencing. The fiducials may have configurations and layouts that that enhance their detection in image or detection data, that facilitate or improve processing, that provide encoding of useful information, and so forth. Examples of the fiducials may include non-rectilinear layouts that may provide for more robust location of both the fiducials and sites of the array.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: An example method includes providing a working stack having a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and a radiation-absorbing material disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The working stack includes a cavity therein having a designated liquid. A bonding interface is defined between the radiation-absorbing material and at least one of the first substrate layer or the second substrate layer. The bonding interface has a film of the designated liquid. The method also includes directing radiation onto the bonding interface to form a perimeter seal. The perimeter seal separates the cavity from an outer area of the bonding interface. The method also includes directing the radiation onto the outer area of the bonding interface to secure the first and second substrate layers together. The perimeter seal impedes an ingress of bubbles from the outer area into the cavity as the radiation is directed onto the outer area.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.