Patent ID: 8691153

Claim:
In combination, a fluorescence reader and a sample substrate, said substrate having a reaction site-surface and a substrate surface opposed to said reaction site-surface wherein the reaction site comprises disposed thereon, said fluorescence reader comprising: a light source positioned to inject exciting light rays into the substrate surface; and a detector device positioned to detect fluorescent light emitted from the fluorophores disposed on the reaction site-surface and transmitted through the substrate surface, wherein said substrate surface is provided with a total-internal-reflection-suppressing means located in an optical path of the emitted fluorescent light for increasing transmission through the substrate surface for detection by the detector device, said total-internal-reflection-suppressing means being arranged to release emitted fluorescent light trapped within the sample substrate and comprising a surface relief structured exit-section on said substrate surface, said exit-section having a faceted surface designed to either diffract or refract the emitted fluorescent light out of the substrate.