Sparse Sampling Probe with Lookup Tables for Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analytical instruments face challenges in minimizing observer effects and acquisition times due to operational limitations, particularly in positioning systems that cause uncertainties during sparse sampling, inhibiting the practical implementation of computational imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sparse sampling with an analytical probe using a serial mode along a scan path with random perturbations, combined with inpainting techniques to reconstruct actual information, allowing for efficient data acquisition and reduced exposure to the specimen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If sparse sampling is performed with an analytical probe in serial mode, then acquisition time and observer effects are reduced, but positioning uncertainty increases due to dynamic response delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing lookup tables that contain pre-determined probe positions corresponding to various dwell times and scan parameters. During sparse sampling, instead of calculating positions in real-time (which would require complex dynamic response modeling), the system directly retrieves pre-computed position data from these lookup tables. This eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations and allows the system to quickly determine accurate probe positions even with varying dwell times, thereby resolving the positioning uncertainty issue while maintaining reduced acquisition times.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the dwell time is reduced to minimize observer effects, then specimen damage is reduced, but positional uncertainty increases due to incomplete probe settling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates lookup tables in advance that store the relationship between dwell times and corresponding probe positions. These tables are generated by simulating or measuring the probe's dynamic response to various dwell times beforehand. During actual sparse sampling with reduced dwell times, the system queries these pre-computed tables to determine the effective probe position, eliminating the need for complex real-time dynamic response calculations and enabling accurate position assignment even when the probe hasn't fully settled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the lookup table data to continuously adjust and refine probe position assignments based on actual dwell times used during scanning. The system monitors the dwell time applied at each measurement point and uses this feedback to retrieve the corresponding corrected position from the lookup table, ensuring that position assignments accurately reflect the actual probe location despite variations in settling behavior. This closed-loop approach maintains measurement precision while allowing flexible dwell time optimization.
3Productivity
If computational imaging techniques are implemented to reconstruct representations from sparse datasets, then acquisition time is reduced, but operational limitations of positioning systems prevent successful implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing lookup tables that encode the complex relationship between scan parameters, dwell times, and probe positions. This transforms the difficult real-time positioning problem into a simple table lookup operation. By preparing these reference data structures in advance, the patent makes computational imaging techniques practically implementable on standard analytical probes without requiring complex real-time control systems, thereby significantly reducing implementation difficulty while maintaining high data acquisition efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Sparse sampling approaches and probe systems for analytical instruments are disclosed providing for effective sub-sampling of a specimen and inpainting to reconstruct representations of actual information. The sub-sampling involves serial acquisition of contiguous measured values lying at positions along a scan path extending in a line toward a first direction and having random perturbations in a second direction. The perturbations are limited within a predetermined distance from the line. Inpainting techniques are utilized among the measured values to reconstruct a representation of actual information regarding the specimen.