Event-Streamed Spectrum Imaging Concurrent Signal Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spectrum imaging methods lack integration with scan generation and electron imaging, leading to inefficient data collection and separate acquisition of spectral and electron signals, which limits the ability to associate features or artifacts accurately and hampers data storage and analysis.
Innovation Solution
The method of event-streamed spectrum imaging, which involves concurrent collection and streaming of multiple signal sources, such as x-ray and electron signals, over a single or multiple scan frames with zero overhead, allowing for simultaneous data collection and processing, including dynamic parameter adjustments and spatial frame lock drift correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential spectrum imaging method is used to collect full spectrum at each pixel, then spectral data completeness is improved, but data collection time and overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral data collection process by tagging individual spectral events with pixel position information during concurrent scanning, rather than collecting complete spectra sequentially at each pixel. This allows spectral events to be processed and associated with their spatial coordinates in real-time, eliminating the need to store and transfer entire spectra for each pixel position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the data collection process by using event streaming with timestamps, allowing spectral events to be collected, tagged, and processed in real-time during the scanning process. This transforms the traditional spatial-only data collection (pixel by pixel) into a spatio-temporal process that improves efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If separate acquisition of spectral and electron signals is performed, then signal processing simplicity is improved, but ability to associate features and artifacts accurately deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acquisition of multiple signal types (spectral, electron, and other detector signals) into a single concurrent scanning process. All signals are collected simultaneously during one scan, with each event tagged with its spatial coordinates and timestamp, allowing accurate association of features across different signal types while maintaining processing efficiency through unified event streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data collection framework that handles multiple signal types through a common event streaming interface. The system can concurrently collect spectral events, electron signals, and other detector outputs using the same tagged event structure, making the system multi-functional while maintaining simplicity through standardized processing.
3Ease of operation
If traditional spectrum imaging methods are used without integration with scan generation, then detector signal processing is simplified, but data organization and storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary tagging of spectral events with pixel position and timestamp information during the acquisition phase, before data storage and analysis. This preliminary organization of data into structured event streams with metadata eliminates the need for complex post-processing data organization and improves storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for conducting event-streamed spectrum imaging concurrently collects electron and spectral signals resulting from a raster scan of a sample. The signals are formatted and assembled as a packet stream. The packet stream is transmitted to a host where it is buffered, stored and processed.