System And Method For Cycling Liquid Samples Through A Series Of Temperature Excursions

摘要

A system and method for cycling liquid samples through a series of temperature excursions are disclosed. Provided are open-top reaction vessels for containing the samples, which may be enclosed by one or more covers. A temperature-controlled block for generating or adsorbing heat is coupled thermally to the reaction vessels. A detection arrangement is disposed in an emission beam path to detect radiation emitted from the samples through the covers. A heating arrangement for generating heat includes a heating element that is both disposed between the reaction vessels and the detection arrangement and coupled thermally to the covers. The heating element includes an optically transparent substrate provided with one or more opaque heating lines, the heating lines being disposed in the emission beam path in a manner to obtain a predetermined minimum optical transmission of the heating element. A controller, set up to control cycling of the samples, is provided.