A method of preparing the outer surface of the planar waveguide so that the target sample can be coupled along a plurality of predetermined lines and a method of preparing the planar waveguide

摘要

A method for preparing the outer surface (11) of a planar waveguide (1) for binding target samples along a plurality of predetermined lines (4). The method comprises sequentially applying at least one plurality of linker molecules (2, 5) to the outer surface (11) of a planar waveguide (1) adapted for attachment of a head group (21) of a linker molecule (2) to the outer surface (11) to form an individual layer of linker molecules (2, 5) with individual layers formed one above the other starting from the outer surface (11) of the planar waveguide (1). Each linker molecule (2, 5) comprises a functional group (22, 52) and the head group (21, 51) which is capable of attaching to the outer surface (11) of the planar waveguide (1) or to the functional groups (22) of the preceding layer of linker molecules (2). The functional groups of the uppermost layer are bound to photo-labile protecting groups (3). Exposing those groups (3) of the uppermost layer arranged along a plurality of predetermined lines (4) to light of a predetermined wavelength removes the exposed photo-labile groups (3) from the functional groups (52) to make these functional groups (52) capable of attaching a complementary functional group of a further molecule.