Techniques include receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE) including specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, complex refractive indices of adjacent layers being different from each other, and a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design being related to a characteristic of a sample; forming at least some of the layers of a plurality of ICEs in accordance with the ICE design using a deposition source, where the layers of the ICEs being formed are supported on a support that is periodically moved relative to the deposition source during the forming; monitoring characteristics of the layers of the ICEs during the forming, the monitoring of the characteristics being performed using a timing of the periodic motion of the support relative to the deposition source; and adjusting the forming based on results of the monitoring.