Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an article comprising a nanoscale surface pattern, such as a grating, is provided with a nanoscale patterns of reduced edge and/or sidewall roughness. Smooth featured articles, can be fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a mold having sloped profile molding features. Another approach uses a mold especially fabricated to provide smooth sidewalls of reduced roughness, and a third approach adds a post-imprint smoothing step. These approaches can be utilized individually or in various combinations to make the novel articles.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a SRG filter is fabricated by disposing a moldable layer on the unpatterned grating layer, pressing a patterned molding surface into the moldable layer to produce an appropriate pattern of reduced thickness regions, removing material from the reduced thickness regions to expose the grating layer and processing the exposed grating layer to form a grating array. In a preferred embodiment the grating layer is adjacent a planar waveguiding layer overlying a substrate and the moldable material is a polymer resist. The waveguide layer advantageously has a refractive index greater than both the grating layer and the underlying substrate. And the pattern can be a one or two-dimensional array of grating elements.