Spectral Image Material Segmentation Via Zero-Integral Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for modeling the fine structures of energy spectra in spectral images are excessively sensitive to the choice of energy window and suffer from insufficient downstream analysis accuracy, leading to unstable and inaccurate image classifications and segmentations.

Innovation Solution

Constrain the integral of the fine structure term in the fitting process to zero, using a function composed of background, atomic cross-section, and fine structure terms, to reduce sensitivity and improve accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing techniques are used to model fine structures of energy spectra, then the modeling process is simple, but the results are excessively sensitive to energy window choice and have insufficient downstream analysis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownstream analysis accuracyVSAvoidfitting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a constraint parameter (integral of fine structure term equals zero) to the fitting process. This parameter change transforms the unconstrained fitting model into a constrained one, reducing sensitivity to energy window selection while improving downstream analysis accuracy. The constraint modifies the fitting equations to include this additional condition, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing techniques are used to model fine structures, then the processing is fast, but the image classifications and segmentations are unstable and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification stabilityVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-constraining the fine structure term integral to zero before performing the actual fitting and downstream analysis. This preliminary constraint prevents the fitting from producing energy window-sensitive results, thereby ensuring classification stability upfront rather than requiring post-processing corrections or repeated analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the fine structure term is unconstrained in fitting, then the fitting process is simpler and faster, but the results show excessive sensitivity to energy window choice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy window independenceVSAvoidfitting model complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fitting model by adding a constraint parameter that the integral of the fine structure term must equal zero. This parameter change makes the fitting results adaptable to different energy windows without excessive sensitivity, while the increased model complexity is justified by the improved energy window independence and downstream analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4621396A1Spectral image analysis via integration-constrained fitting
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 FEI CO
  • EP4621396A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621396A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621396A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems or techniques are provided for facilitating spectral image analysis via integration-constrained fitting. In various embodiments, a system can access a spectral image of a specimen captured by a scientific instrument, wherein pixels of the spectral image respectively correspond to energy spectra. In various aspects, the system can fit in pixel-wise fashion a function to the energy spectra, wherein the function comprises a plurality of terms that are additively combined, wherein a first term of the plurality of terms represents a fine structure of the energy spectra, and wherein an integral associated with the first term is constrained to zero. In various instances, the system can segment the spectral image by material, based on the first term.