TEM Detector Deflection for High-Framerate HDR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEMs) face challenges in acquiring high framerate and high dynamic range video data without temporal distortions, particularly due to the limitations of rolling shutter and global shutter modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a two-dimensional deflector system that sequentially deflects electrons to sub-regions of a detector array, synchronized with the detector's read-out cycle, allowing for high framerate and dynamic range data acquisition without temporal distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rolling shutter readout mode is used, then framerate and duty cycle are maximized, but temporal distortions occur making videos of fast-moving objects difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is divided into multiple independent regions that can be read out simultaneously or sequentially. This segmentation allows the system to achieve global shutter functionality by capturing all regions at the same exposure time while maintaining high framerate through parallel readout of multiple regions, thereby eliminating temporal distortion while preserving productivity.
2Reliability
If global shutter readout is used, then temporal distortions are eliminated, but duty cycle is reduced due to pixel blocking during readout
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detector regions are exposed continuously to the electron beam simultaneously, and their readout is performed in parallel or interleaved fashion. This continuous exposure of all regions eliminates the duty cycle loss associated with sequential readout, while the synchronized readout timing maintains global shutter functionality and eliminates temporal distortion.
3Reliability
If global shutter readout is used, then temporal distortions are eliminated, but maximum achievable framerate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is divided into multiple regions that can be read out in parallel or interleaved sequences. This segmentation enables the system to achieve effective framerates higher than the readout rate of individual regions, while maintaining global shutter functionality through synchronized exposure timing across all regions, thereby eliminating temporal distortion while preserving high framerate capability.
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
This approach enables high framerate video data acquisition with reduced temporal distortions and enhanced dynamic range, achieving duty cycles of at least 90% without distortion, and significantly improving the performance of TEM image sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional deflector configured to deflect electrons transmitted or scattered by a sample positioned at a sample plane, wherein the two-dimensional deflector is positioned between the sample plane and a two-dimensional detector array
Data Source
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.