The present invention provides a biochip reader for reading image
information appropriate for a plurality of samples with an optical
detector, by emitting a plurality of light beams onto a biochip on which
the plurality of samples are arranged in spots or linear arrays. The
biochip reader is configured so that the spatial positions of the
plurality of samples and the plurality of light beams agree with each
other. Since this biochip reader configuration requires no scanning, it is
possible to read image information from multiple samples at high speed.
Furthermore, as long as a comparison is made with reference to the same
duration of reading, the required level of light intensity decreases as
the number of beams increases. Thus, there is no need for emitting
high-intensity beams of laser light as seen in the prior art.
Consequently, there is virtually no risk of bleaching fluorescent stain.