Patent ID: 8546130

Claim:
An oligomer probe array comprising: a silicon-based substrate; a plurality of probe cell active regions disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of probe cell active regions comprising a LOCOS (LOCal Oxidation of Silicon) oxide layer disposed within the substrate; a probe cell isolation region defined by spaces between the probe cell active regions that physically separate the probe cell active regions; a filler disposed on the probe cell isolation region that fills an area defined between the probe cell active regions; a blocking layer disposed on the probe cell isolation regions, wherein the filler is disposed under the blocking layer, the blocking layer further comprises a fluorine-containing material, and wherein a surface of the probe cell isolation region is a surface of the blocking layer; and at least one oligomer probe with its own sequence coupled to a surface of each of the plurality of probe cell active regions, wherein the plurality of probe cell active regions comprises functional groups configured to couple with the oligomer probe, and no functional groups configured to couple with the oligomer probes are attached to the surface of the blocking layer.