EDS Data Blocks for Real-Time Composition Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing chemical elements using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) face challenges in achieving real-time composition variation measurement, are cumbersome, and require repetitive measurements due to low time resolution and sample irradiation, making it difficult to obtain accurate data, especially when sample composition changes rapidly or is contaminated.
Innovation Solution
A method and data structure that allows for the creation and recording of energy and elapsed time data blocks, enabling the reproduction of spectra at arbitrary intervals from a single measurement, using a surface analysis instrument that detects secondary rays and analyzes their energies, with tags indicating data about energies and times, allowing for efficient data management and spectrum reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurements are performed at intervals of 10 seconds, then the measurement process is manageable, but the time resolution is too low to capture real-time composition variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all necessary spectral measurements continuously during a single irradiation process, collecting all required data in advance before any sample degradation occurs. This preliminary data collection enables post-processing at any desired time resolution without requiring additional measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple virtual spectra at different time intervals by processing the continuous measurement data in different ways. Instead of performing multiple physical measurements, it generates multiple data representations from a single continuous measurement, allowing users to analyze composition variations at any desired time resolution.
2Measurement precision
If repetitive measurements are performed to achieve higher time resolution, then the time resolution improves, but the sample composition changes due to prolonged irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous spectral acquisition throughout the entire irradiation period, capturing all composition information before the sample degrades. This single continuous measurement replaces multiple separate measurements, eliminating the problem of sample changes between measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous spectral measurement throughout the irradiation process without interruption, ensuring that composition data is captured continuously rather than at discrete intervals. This continuous data stream allows reconstruction of composition variations at any desired time resolution without additional irradiation.
3Ease of operation
If measurements are performed at a single location, then the measurement process is simple, but the data cannot be reproduced if sample damage or contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent collects all necessary spectral data during a single continuous measurement before sample degradation occurs. By accumulating complete measurement data in advance, the system ensures that all required information is captured in one go, eliminating the need for repositioning or repeated measurements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate measurements are performed to achieve different time resolutions, then the desired time resolution can be obtained, but the process becomes cumbersome and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system where a single continuous spectral acquisition can be processed to generate data at multiple different time resolutions. The measurement system serves multiple purposes simultaneously, allowing users to analyze composition variations at any desired time interval from the same raw data without performing separate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates multiple virtual data sets representing different time resolutions by processing the continuous measurement data in different ways. These are essentially copies or transformations of the same underlying measurement, allowing flexible analysis without additional measurement complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the acquisition of spectra at desired time intervals with a single measurement, allowing for real-time composition analysis and handling of sample contamination, reducing the need for repetitive measurements and improving time resolution, thus providing accurate and efficient data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
when the sample is being irradiated with an electron beam, the composition of the sample may vary with the elapse of time
Implementation Method 2
the desired region is scanned in two dimensions with an electron beam by moving the beam relative to the sample
Implementation Method 3
the produced X-rays are spectrally analyzed by the EDS, and the number of photons present in each energy range is counted
Implementation Method 4
where the sample is irradiated with an electron beam for 100 seconds, if it is to be examined how the concentration of a certain element contained in the sample varies
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing data obtained by measurements. The method permits EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) spectra to be collected in one operation. Energies detected by an EDS detector are converted by a pulse height analyzer into pulses of heights corresponding to the energies. The heights of the pulses in a distribution are assigned to multiple channels. The number of pulses in each channel is counted. A data processing circuit sends data blocks to a CPU. In each data block, a tag indicative of being X-ray energy data and the value of energy are combined. The CPU sequentially stores incoming data blocks into a hard disk.