Electron Holography Aberration Correction in Propagated Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electron holography methods suffer from image aberrations such as astigmatism, coma, and other distortions due to nonlinear electron trajectories, leading to inaccurate reconstruction of holograms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that modifies sequenced parameters of an array used in electron holograms to reduce aberrations by employing a propagator function, which generates a corrected array for improved hologram reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If standard electron holography reconstruction methods are used, then the reconstruction process is simple and fast, but image aberrations such as astigmatism, coma, and nonlinear trajectory distortions occur leading to inaccurate reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehologram reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidreconstruction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction values for aberrations in lookup tables before reconstruction. The system determines aberration correction parameters from the hologram data and uses these to index into pre-computed lookup tables, applying corrections during reconstruction without requiring complex real-time calculations. This approach maintains reconstruction accuracy while reducing computational complexity during the actual reconstruction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by introducing aberration correction parameters that modify the standard reconstruction algorithm. The system adjusts the reconstruction process by applying correction factors derived from analyzing the hologram's wavefunction components, thereby compensating for astigmatism, coma, and nonlinear trajectory effects without fundamentally altering the reconstruction framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If aberration correction is applied to reduce image distortions, then reconstruction accuracy improves, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconstruction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-computes aberration correction values and stores them in lookup tables during system initialization or calibration. During actual hologram reconstruction, the system only needs to determine correction parameters from the hologram data and perform table lookups, rather than performing complex aberration calculations in real-time. This significantly reduces processing time while maintaining correction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses lookup tables that contain pre-calculated correction data, effectively copying previously computed correction values rather than recalculating them for each hologram. This approach maintains reconstruction accuracy by applying proper correction factors while dramatically reducing the computational burden and processing time for each new hologram reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If nonlinear electron trajectory effects are not corrected, then the processing remains simple, but image distortions such as expansion, contraction, and skewing occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidimage geometry accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or iterative correction methods with a computational approach using lookup tables and parameter-based correction. Instead of implementing complex real-time trajectory calculations or iterative optimization algorithms, the system uses pre-computed correction data indexed by hologram-specific parameters, achieving geometric accuracy through efficient table lookups and simple parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4657176A1Correction of aberrations in in-line electron holography
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 FEI CO
  • EP4657176A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4657176A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4657176A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a process for electron holography image aberration reduction. A system can comprise a memory that stores, and a processor that executes, computer executable components. The computer executable components can comprise a propagating component that reduces hologram aberration of an electron hologram (EH) image by modifying of a pair of sequenced parameters of an array upon which the EH image is constructed, resulting in a modified array, and a generating component that generates a propagated EH image using a propagator comprising the modified array.