| abstract |
Systems and methods for improved measurement of absorbance/transmission through fluidic systems are described. Specifically, in one set of embodiments, optical elements are fabricated on one side of a transparent fluidic device opposite a series of fluidic channels. The optical elements may guide incident light passing through the device such that most of the light is dispersed away from specific areas of the device, such as intervening portions between the fluidic channels. By decreasing the amount of light incident upon these intervening portions, the amount of noise in the detection signal can be decreased when using certain optical detection systems. In some embodiments, the optical elements comprise triangular grooves formed on or in a surface of the device. The draft angle of the triangular grooves may be chosen such that incident light normal to the surface of the device is redirected at an angle dependent upon the indices of refraction of the external medium (e.g., air) and the device material. Advantageously, certain optical elements described herein may be fabricated along with the fluidic channels of the device in one step, thereby reducing the costs of fabrication. Furthermore, in some cases the optical elements do not require alignment with a detector and, therefore, facilitate assembly and/or use by an end user. |