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US 7,009,172 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for imaging using continuous non-raster patterns
AssigneeBoard of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada, Reno
InventorsNelson George Publicover, John Leonard Sutko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing data collection within a device is disclosed. A device steers a scanning probe in a continuous, non-raster pattern across a specimen. The specimen is supported by a stage, and data is collected in response to interaction between the probe and the specimen to form a data set. Spiral scanning patterns without turnaround regions are utilized in embodiments of the present invention, both with and without rounded corners in the scanning patterns.
Claims75
A method for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- placing a probe relative to a specimen, the probe being configured to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- moving at least one of the probe and specimen relative to the other, within a two-dimensional field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path from sample area to sample area in a sequential manner in the field while producing the respective image data, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field;
- and
- producing an image from the image data.
1 more element
A method for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- placing a probe relative to a specimen, the probe being configured to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- and
- according to respective sinusoidal first-dimension-control signals and sinusoidal second-dimension-control signals, moving at least one of the probe and specimen relative to the other, within a field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path in two-dimensional space from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while producing the respective image data, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field.
A method for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- placing a probe relative to a specimen, the probe being configured to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- moving at least one of the probe and specimen relative to the other, within a field of view, at least one cycle of a continuous, non-raster scanning path in two-dimensional space from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while producing the respective image data, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field, and the scanning path in each cycle having at most two turnarounds;
- monitoring position of at least one of the probe and specimen at each sample area in the field;
- and
- producing an image from the image data.
2 more elements
A device for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- a specimen holder configured to hold a specimen;
- a probe configured to be placed relative to the specimen and to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- and
- a scanning device coupled to at least one of the probe and specimen holder and configured to move the at least one of the probe and specimen holder, relative to the other and within a two-dimensional field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while the respective image data are being produced, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field.
1 more element
A device for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- a specimen holder configured to hold a specimen;
- a probe configured to be placed relative to the specimen and to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- a scanning device coupled to at least one of the probe and specimen holder and configured to move the at least one of the probe and specimen holder, relative to the other and within a two-dimensional field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while the respective image data are being produced, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field;
- a computer configured to receive the image data and to process the image data to a form usable for producing an image, from the received image data, of the scanned field of view, the computer comprising a converter configured to convert the received data, obtained along the non-raster scanning path in the field of view, to a raster space comprising a substantially uniform grid of multiple pixels;
- and
- a position detector configured to determine respective coordinates associated with each sample area along the scanning path as data are being produced at the respective sample area.
3 more elements
A device for producing an image of a specimen, comprising:
- specimen-holding means for holding a specimen;
- probe means, situated relative to the specimen-holding means, for facilitating production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe means is situated relative to the specimen;
- and
- scanning means, coupled to at least one of the probe means and specimen-holding means, for moving the at least one of the probe means and specimen-holding means, relative to the other and within a two-dimensional field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while the respective image data are being produced, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field.
1 more element
A scanning microscope, comprising:
- a specimen holder configured to hold a specimen;
- a probe configured to be placed relative to the specimen and to facilitate production of respective image data at each sample area at which the probe is situated relative to the specimen;
- a scanning device coupled to at least one of the probe and specimen holder and configured to move the at least one of the probe and specimen holder, relative to the other and within a two-dimensional field of view, in a continuous, non-raster scanning path from sample area to sample area in a serial manner in the field while the respective image data are being produced, the sample areas being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the field so as collectively to cover the field and to provide substantially uniform spatial coverage per sample area in the field;
- a computer configured to receive the image data and to process the image data to a form usable for producing an image, from the received image data, of the scanned field of view, the computer comprising a converter configured to convert the received data, obtained along the non-raster scanning path in the field of view, to a raster space comprising a substantially uniform grid of multiple pixels;
- a position detector configured to determine respective coordinates associated with each sample area along the scanning path as data are being produced at the respective sample area;
- and
- a display coupled to the computer and configured to produce a display of the raster space.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.