Electron Holography Background Extraction With Hybrid Blurring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image preparation frameworks for electron holography fail to effectively remove detector and device contamination, leading to reduced noise subtraction and emission pattern interference, which compromises the quality of hologram reconstruction.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid image preparation framework employing a combination of physical and digital blurring techniques, including primary and secondary blurring actions, to reduce image contamination by accounting for detector imperfections and uneven sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing image preparation frameworks are used for electron holography, then the processing speed is maintained, but image contamination from detector and device imperfections remains high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing framework complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image preparation process into two distinct blurring actions: a first blurring action and a second blurring action. Each action processes the image differently to address specific types of contamination. This segmentation allows the system to target and remove different contamination sources effectively while maintaining a structured processing framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters by applying different blurring degrees and types to the same image. The first blurring action uses one set of parameters while the second blurring action uses different parameters, allowing the system to extract meaningful information at multiple scales and remove contamination that would be invisible at a single processing level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple blurring actions are applied to remove contamination, then image contamination is reduced, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination removal effectivenessVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies blurring actions that go beyond what a single processing step would achieve. By implementing multiple blurring actions with different parameters, the system performs excessive processing that ensures thorough contamination removal. The redundant processing at different levels guarantees that contamination is removed even if some information is lost in the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If a single blurring action is used, then the processing is simple and fast, but detector imperfections and uneven sensitivity cannot be effectively addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidcontamination removal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contamination removal task into multiple specialized blurring actions. The first blurring action addresses certain types of detector imperfections while the second blurring action addresses other types, ensuring comprehensive coverage of contamination sources that would be missed by a single processing step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by comparing the results of different blurring actions and using this information to refine the processing. The output from the first blurring action informs the parameters and approach of the second blurring action, creating a feedback loop that continuously improves contamination removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4632497A1Hybrid background extraction in electron holography
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 FEI CO
  • EP4632497A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632497A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4632497A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a process for electron holography image background extraction. A system can comprise a memory that stores, and a processor that executes, computer executable components. The computer executable components can comprise a blurring component that executes a primary blurring action and a secondary blurring action on an original electron holography (EH) image characterized by a set of pixels having a set of original pixel values, and a generating component that generates a set of modified pixel values, for the set of pixels, based on a difference of a set of first pixel values, of the set of pixels, resulting from the primary blurring action and a set of second pixel values, of the set of pixels, resulting from the secondary blurring action.