Evaluating Stage Motion for Automated Electron Microscopy

Journal Article · 13 October 2023 · Microscopy and Microanalysis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/micmic/ozad108 · OSTI ID:2202308

Fiedler, Kevin R. ; Olszta, Matthew J. ; Yano, Kayla H. ; Doty, Christina; Hopkins, Derek; Akers, Sarah ; Spurgeon, Steven R.

Abstract Precise control is an essential and elusive quality of emerging self-driving transmission electron microscopes (TEMs). It is widely understood these instruments must be capable of performing rapid, high-volume, and arbitrary movements for practical self-driving operation. However, stage movements are difficult to automate at scale, owing to mechanical instability, hysteresis, and thermal drift. Such difficulties pose major barriers to artificial intelligence-directed microscope designs that require repeatable, precise movements. To guide design of emerging instruments, it is necessary to understand the behavior of existing mechanisms to identify rate limiting steps for full autonomy. Here, we describe a general framework to evaluate stage motion in any TEM. We define metrics to evaluate stage degrees of freedom, propose solutions to improve performance, and comment on fundamental limits to automated experimentation using present hardware.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 2202308
• Journal Information: Microscopy and Microanalysis, Journal Name: Microscopy and Microanalysis Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 29; ISSN 1431-9276
• Publisher: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English