Abstract: Methods and systems for high dynamic range (HDR) charged particle analysis using clustering processes include accessing a plurality of instances of image data for a region of a sample, where each instance of image data was captured with different parameters by a charged particle microscope. The difference in parameters may include one or more of a difference in contrast, brightness, beam strength, beam type, gamma, and/or a combination thereof. An HDR charged particle microscopy data structure is then generated using the captured image data, and one or more features of the sample are identified based on the HDR charged particle microscopy data structure. In some methods according to the present invention, the methods further include performing EDS analysis on the sample based on the determined one or more identified features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying a material with a sample-specific reference spectral list or library. A sequential approach to SEM-EDS automated mineralogy classification is carried out by performing two or more material classification analyses. A pre-classification step restricts the processing of spectra deconvolution algorithms to a subset of spectra that pass a dominant mineral criteria resulting in a significantly reduced subset of reference spectra that occur within the measured sample in pure enough form at a given minimum quantity. The following complex classification stages involving deconvolution of multiple constituents within measured spectra is based on this sample relevant subset.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analysis and display of fine grained mineral samples. A portion of the sample is illuminated with a charged particle beam. Emitted radiation is detected, and a sample emission spectrum is generated and fit with a plurality of standard emission spectra of minerals in a candidate mineral composition. A mineral composition whose emission spectrum best fits the sample emission spectrum is selected from a plurality of candidate mineral compositions. An assigned color is received for each mineral in the selected mineral composition, and the assigned colors are blended according to the proportion of each mineral in the selected mineral composition. An image pixel corresponding to the portion of the sample is rendered for display.

Abstract: Optimized blending mode for mineralogy images. A luminosity value is determined for a pixel in a base layer or top layer mineralogy image. An image weighting value is determined from the luminosity value and an optional mixing parameter. A multiply value is determined by multiplying the base and top layer pixel values. An overlay value is determined from twice the multiply value if the value of one of the base layer or top layer pixel values is over a threshold, otherwise it is determined by inverting twice the product of the inverted top layer pixel value with the inverted base layer pixel value. A blended image pixel value is determined by adding the multiply value weighted with the image weighting value and the overlay value weighted with the inverted image weighting value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying a material with a sample-specific reference spectral list or library. A sequential approach to SEM-EDS automated mineralogy classification is carried out by performing two or more material classification analyses. A pre-classification step restricts the processing of spectra deconvolution algorithms to a subset of spectra that pass a dominant mineral criteria resulting in a significantly reduced subset of reference spectra that occur within the measured sample in pure enough form at a given minimum quantity. The following complex classification stages involving deconvolution of multiple constituents within measured spectra is based on this sample relevant subset.

Abstract: Optimized blending mode for mineralogy images. A luminosity value is determined for a pixel in a base layer or top layer mineralogy image. An image weighting value is determined from the luminosity value and an optional mixing parameter. A multiply value is determined by multiplying the base and top layer pixel values. An overlay value is determined from twice the multiply value if the value of one of the base layer or top layer pixel values is over a threshold, otherwise it is determined by inverting twice the product of the inverted top layer pixel value with the inverted base layer pixel value. A blended image pixel value is determined by adding the multiply value weighted with the image weighting value and the overlay value weighted with the inverted image weighting value.

Abstract: Optimized blending mode for mineralogy images. A luminosity value is determined for a pixel in a base layer or top layer mineralogy image. An image weighting value is determined from the luminosity value and an optional mixing parameter. A multiply value is determined by multiplying the base and top layer pixel values. An overlay value is determined from twice the multiply value if the value of one of the base layer or top layer pixel values is over a threshold, otherwise it is determined by inverting twice the product of the inverted top layer pixel value with the inverted base layer pixel value. A blended image pixel value is determined by adding the multiply value weighted with the image weighting value and the overlay value weighted with the inverted image weighting value.

Abstract: Optimized blending mode for mineralogy images. A luminosity value is determined for a pixel in a base layer or top layer mineralogy image. An image weighting value is determined from the luminosity value and an optional mixing parameter. A multiply value is determined by multiplying the base and top layer pixel values. An overlay value is determined from twice the multiply value if the value of one of the base layer or top layer pixel values is over a threshold, otherwise it is determined by inverting twice the product of the inverted top layer pixel value with the inverted base layer pixel value. A blended image pixel value is determined by adding the multiply value weighted with the image weighting value and the overlay value weighted with the inverted image weighting value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analysis and display of fine grained mineral samples. A portion of the sample is illuminated with a charged particle beam. Emitted radiation is detected, and a sample emission spectrum is generated and fit with a plurality of standard emission spectra of minerals in a candidate mineral composition. A mineral composition whose emission spectrum best fits the sample emission spectrum is selected from a plurality of candidate mineral compositions. An assigned color is received for each mineral in the selected mineral composition, and the assigned colors are blended according to the proportion of each mineral in the selected mineral composition. An image pixel corresponding to the portion of the sample is rendered for display.

Abstract: A systems management computer is provided, and comprises a processor configured to execute a set of stored instructions that implements a method for receiving data from a server over a first network and for distributing the data to a plurality of computers over a different second network. One instruction is for electing a computer from said plurality of computers of the second network to act as an active download master. Another instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and initiates downloading of data over the first network to local data storage. A further instruction operates if the computer is elected as the active download master computer and multicasts, by a multicast distribution engine, the downloaded data over the second network to other computers of the second network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with data distribution apparatus, for use on each of a plurality of machines in distributing a set of data over a network amongst said machines. The apparatus comprises: i) multicast apparatus for use in multicasting said set of data over the network for receipt by others of said machines; and ii) a data retrieval arrangement for use in retrieving data from a set of data previously multicast by at least one of said machines, and supplying retrieved data to the multicast apparatus for use in multicasting the retrieved data over the network to others of the plurality of machines, wherein more than one of said plurality of machines is enabled to act as a multicast source in distributing the set of data over the network. In embodiments of the invention, a first machine is elected as download master and multicasts downloaded data, via a group address, to the networked machines.