IMPROVEMENTS IN THERMAL CYCLER FOR PCR

摘要

An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices and heat sink, clamped together. The sample block temperature is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric device s (39) controlled by the computer. The sample block is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Pettier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink has a perimeter trench to minimi ze edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal unifomity across the sample block to approximately +/- 0.2.degree.C.