Patent ID: 8084260

Claim:
A computer implemented method of generating position-specific calibration factors for a spectral detector instrument, comprising: receiving a calibration plate comprising a plurality of wells, each at a different respective well position and each containing a plurality of spectrally distinguishable species; exposing the calibration plate to an excitation source that emits light and causes the plurality of spectrally distinguishable species in each of the plurality of wells to fluoresce; measuring a respective signal response associated with each spectral species at each respective well position in the calibration plate; comparing the respective measured signal response for each spectral species at each respective well position in the calibration plate with a predetermined signal response for each spectral species; and determining a respective calibration factor for each spectral species in each well in response to the comparing, to compensate for respective differences between the respective measured signal response for each spectral species at each respective well position and the predetermined signal response for each spectral species, wherein the calibration factors generated for each well compensate for variations in spectral responses due to many different angles of entry of the light into the different wells of the plurality and wherein a predetermined concentration of one or more probes includes a passive reference and the concentration of each probe is determined with respect to the passive reference.