Patent ID: 7422851
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: B01J,B82Y,C40B

Abstract:
1. A method for correcting illumination nonuniformity across an illumination area during the synthesis of an array of oligomers from monomers, the illumination areas being illuminated by light directed to the illumination areas by a micromirror array during a common deprotection period, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the illumination intensity of at least two oligomer synthesis positions at different positions in the illumination area, each of the synthesis positions corresponding to a single micromirror in the micromirror array; evaluating mathematically the difference in illumination intensity between the at least two oligomer synthesis positions to identify a first synthesis position illuminated more brightly and a second synthesis position illuminated less brightly; and correcting illumination nonuniformity by adjusting the illumination intensity of the light directed to the first synthesis position to match that of the light directed to the second synthesis position during the deprotection period by reducing the illumination time in which the micromirror corresponding to the first synthesis position directs light to the first synthesis position as compared to the illumination time in which the micromirror corresponding the second synthesis position directs light to the second synthesis position by switching the micromirror which directs light to the first synthesis position so as to direct light away from the first synthesis position for a portion of the deprotection period.