A method of analyzing a plurality of analytes detectable by light emission and arranged in a two-dimensional array supported by a planar matrix whose length, width, or both length and width measure a minimum of about 3cm, said method comprising: (a) placing said planar matrix within 5cm of a detector, wherein said detector defines a planar detection surface, and wherein said detector is selected from: a plurality of solid-state image sensors that are arranged in a sensor array and that are each positioned to form a sub-image of a segment of said matrix such that said segments collectively cover said entire matrix, and a computer for assembling said sub-images formed at each of said image sensors in accordance with the positions of said image sensors in said sensor array to form an image of said planar matrix in full as a composite of said sub-images, and a plurality of photoresponsive elements arranged in an array that is at least substantially coextensive with said matrix, thin-film addressing circuitry that controls accumulation of energy by, and release of energy from, said photoresponsive elements, and a data storage medium that correlates energy released from said photoresponsive elements with sites on said planar matrix and forms an image of said planar matrix in full from said energy so released; and (b) generating said planar matrix image in full by said detector, in a manner that either compensates for or eliminates any irregularities in light intensity across said planar matrix image that are not representative of said two-dimensional array of analytes; (c) increasing the sensitivity of said detector by: measuring a plurality of temperatures at selected sites along said planar detection surface to determine a temperature pattern of temperature variations along said planar detection surface; producing a dark signal pattern for said detector; adjusting said produced dark signal pattern according to a function of said temperature pattern; and subtracting said adjusted dark signal pattern from said planar matrix image; and (d) analyzing said analytes from said planar matrix image so generated. (a) placing said planar matrix within 5cm of a detector, wherein said detector defines a planar detection surface, and wherein said detector is selected from: a plurality of solid-state image sensors that are arranged in a sensor array and that are each positioned to form a sub-image of a segment of said matrix such that said segments collectively cover said entire matrix, and a computer for assembling said sub-images formed at each of said image sensors in accordance with the positions of said image sensors in said sensor array to form an image of said planar matrix in full as a composite of said sub-images, and a plurality of photoresponsive elements arranged in an array that is at least substantially coextensive with said matrix, thin-film addressing circuitry that controls accumulation of energy by, and release of energy from, said photoresponsive elements, and a data storage medium that correlates energy released from said photoresponsive elements with sites on said planar matrix and forms an image of said planar matrix in full from said energy so released; and a plurality of solid-state image sensors that are arranged in a sensor array and that are each positioned to form a sub-image of a segment of said matrix such that said segments collectively cover said entire matrix, and a computer for assembling said sub-images formed at each of said image sensors in accordance with the positions of said image sensors in said sensor array to form an image of said planar matrix in full as a composite of said sub-images, and a plurality of photoresponsive elements arranged in an array that is at least substantially coextensive with said matrix, thin-film addressing circuitry that controls accumulation of energy by, and release of energy from, said photoresponsive elements, and a data storage medium that correlates energy released from said photoresponsive elements with sites on said planar matrix and forms an image of said planar matrix in full from said energy so released; and (b) generating said planar matrix image in full by said detector, in a manner that either compensates for or eliminates any irregularities in light intensity across said planar matrix image that are not representative of said two-dimensional array of analytes; (c) increasing the sensitivity of said detector by: measuring a plurality of temperatures at selected sites along said planar detection surface to determine a temperature pattern of temperature variations along said planar detection surface; producing a dark signal pattern for said detector; adjusting said produced dark signal pattern according to a function of said temperature pattern; and subtracting said adjusted dark signal pattern from said planar matrix image; and measuring a plurality of temperatures at selected sites along said planar detection surface to determine a temperature pattern of temperature variations along said planar detection surface; producing a dark signal pattern for said detector; adjusting said produced dark signal pattern according to a function of said temperature pattern; and subtracting said adjusted dark signal pattern from said planar matrix image; and (d) analyzing said analytes from said planar matrix image so generated.