TEM Rolling-Shutter Readout With Deflector-Synced Sub-Regions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) face challenges in acquiring high framerate and high dynamic range video data without temporal distortions, as rolling shutter modes offer high framerate but with distortions, while global shutter modes reduce duty cycle and framerate.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a two-dimensional deflector that sequentially deflects electrons or photons to sub-regions of a detector array, synchronized with the read-out signal, allowing for high framerate and dynamic range data acquisition with minimal temporal distortions by adjusting sensitivity and dwell time of each sub-region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If rolling shutter readout mode is used, then framerate is maximized and duty cycle is close to 100%, but temporal distortions occur making videos of fast-moving objects difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveframerateVSAvoidtemporal distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detector array is divided into multiple independent regions that can be read out simultaneously or in a coordinated sequence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high framerate by processing multiple regions in parallel while maintaining temporal accuracy through synchronized readout timing, thereby eliminating the temporal distortion inherent in rolling shutter modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a periodic readout scheme where multiple detector regions are systematically activated and read out in a repeating cycle. By coordinating the readout timing of different regions periodically, the system achieves high effective framerate while ensuring that data from all regions corresponds to the same temporal moment, thus eliminating temporal distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If global shutter readout mode is used, then temporal distortions are eliminated with synchronized readout across all pixels, but duty cycle is reduced and maximum achievable framerate is slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal accuracyVSAvoidframerate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The detector array is divided into multiple independent regions that can be read out simultaneously or in a coordinated sequence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high framerate by processing multiple regions in parallel while maintaining temporal accuracy through synchronized readout timing, thereby eliminating the temporal distortion inherent in rolling shutter modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the advantages of both rolling shutter and global shutter modes by implementing a coordinated readout scheme where multiple detector regions are read out in a synchronized manner. This merging approach achieves the temporal accuracy of global shutter while attaining the high framerate of rolling shutter through parallel processing of segmented regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If pixels are blocked during readout in global shutter mode, then temporal distortion is eliminated, but useable signal is lost reducing dynamic range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal synchronizationVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The detector array is divided into multiple independent regions that can be read out simultaneously or in a coordinated sequence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high framerate by processing multiple regions in parallel while maintaining temporal accuracy through synchronized readout timing, thereby eliminating the temporal distortion inherent in rolling shutter modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a readout scheme where detector regions are continuously exposed and read out without blocking pixels during the exposure period. By coordinating the readout timing of different regions, the system maintains continuous signal collection, eliminating signal loss while achieving temporal synchronization through the coordinated readout of segmented regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 high framerate and dynamic range data acquisition with a duty cycle of up to 98% without temporal distortions, significantly enhancing the performance of TEMs and applicable optical imaging systems.

Implementation Method 1

a two-dimensional deflector configured to deflect electrons transmitted or scattered by a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic deflection: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a two-dimensional deflector configured to deflect electrons transmitted or scattered by a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic deflection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS11804359B2High framerate and high dynamic range electron microscopy

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 INTEGRATED DYNAMIC ELECTRON SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for acquiring transmission electron microscope video data on a rolling-shutter detector at an enhanced frame rate and without temporal distortions are described. Also described are methods to enhance the dynamic range of image and diffraction data acquired using a transmission electron microscope. The disclosed methods and systems may also be applicable to photon detection and imaging systems.