Abstract: An apparatus has a data acquisition device, an environmental cell in a spatial registration relative to the data acquisition device, the environmental cell being configured to support a sample, and a fluid management system configured to initiate and discontinue exposure of the sample to a reaction fluid while the spatial registration is maintained. A method of performing data acquisition for a sample includes spatially registering the sample relative to a data acquisition device, at least partially exposing the sample to a reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, at least partially discontinuing exposing the sample to the reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, and acquiring data about the sample while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device.

Abstract: A system for measuring stress and strain in a sample is provided. The system includes a sample holder operable to support the sample; a stress inducing assembly operable to apply force to a selected location on the sample to deform the sample by a selected distance in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a millimeter; and an interferometer operable to determine a surface topography of the deformed sample at a resolution in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a micron.

Abstract: An apparatus has a data acquisition device, an environmental cell in a spatial registration relative to the data acquisition device, the environmental cell being configured to support a sample, and a fluid management system configured to initiate and discontinue exposure of the sample to a reaction fluid while the spatial registration is maintained. A method of performing data acquisition for a sample includes spatially registering the sample relative to a data acquisition device, at least partially exposing the sample to a reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, at least partially discontinuing exposing the sample to the reaction fluid while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device, and acquiring data about the sample while substantially maintaining the spatial registration of the sample relative to the data acquisition device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical imaging system comprises a non-destructive optical device that obtains information concerning a target object and a X,Y positioning system that is capable of positioning one or both of the target object and the optical device to pre-determined offset locations more closely spaced than the obtainable resolution of the optical device. A first “base” image is produced and then overlapping additional images may be produced by the positioning one or both of the target object and the optical device to the pre-determined locations. The first image and the additional images may be combined to produce a single combined image that contains inherently more information than the first image or any of the additional images alone. The combined image then may be digitally restored and enhanced to produce an image with a greater resolution than the optical device yields.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical imaging system comprises a non-destructive optical device that obtains information concerning a target object and a X,Y positioning system that is capable of positioning one or both of the target object and the optical device to pre-determined offset locations more closely spaced than the obtainable resolution of the optical device. A first “base” image is produced and then overlapping additional images may be produced by the positioning one or both of the target object and the optical device to the pre-determined locations. The first image and the additional images may be combined to produce a single combined image that contains inherently more information than the first image or any of the additional images alone. The combined image then may be digitally restored and enhanced to produce an image with a greater resolution than the optical device yields.