dose calibration of the transmission electron microscope for tem and scanning tem (stem) imaging modes using a machine-vision approach

Flujos de trabajo TEM, análisis de resultados y gestión de datos mediante un enfoque de visión artificial

Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) and their capabilities have benefited enormously from advances in cameras, detectors, sample holders, and computing technologies. However, these advances are hampered by disconnected data streams, limitations of human operation, and cumbersome data analysis1,2. Moreover, in situ and operando experiments adapt TEMs into real-time nanoscale laboratories, enabling samples to be studied in gas or liquid environments while simultaneously applying a range of external stimuli3,4,5. The adoption of such complex workflows have only magnified these limitations, and the resulting increase of the size and complexity of these data streams is an area of growing concern. Thus, there is a growing emphasis on utilizing machine-actionability to find, access, interoperate, and reuse data, a practice known as the FAIR principles6. Publishing research data in accordance with the FAIR principles concept has received favorable attention from governmental agencies around the world7,8, and application of the FAIR principles using machine-vision software is a key step in their adoption.
A machine-vision synchronization (MVS) software platform has been developed in response to the specific pain points inherent to performing and analyzing complex, metadata-heavy TEM experiments (particularly in situ and operando experiments)9. Once installed on the TEM, the MVS software connects, integrates, and communicates with the microscope column, detectors, and integrated in situ systems. This enables it to continuously collect images and align those images with their experimental metadata, forming a comprehensive searchable database, a timeline of the experiment from start to finish (Figure 1). This connectivity allows the MVS software to apply algorithms that intelligently track and stabilize a region of interest (ROI), even when samples are undergoing morphological changes. The software applies adjustments to stage, beam, and digital corrections as necessary to stabilize the ROI through its Drift Control and Focus Assist functions. In addition to enriching the images with the raw metadata produced from the different experimental systems, the software can produce new, computational metadata using image analysis algorithms to calculate variables between images, which allow it to automatically correct for sample drift or changes in focus.
TEM images, and their associated metadata collected through the MVS software, are organized as an experimental timeline which can be opened and viewed by anyone via the free, offline version of the analysis software, Studio (hereafter referred to as the analysis software)10. During an experiment, the MVS software syncs and records three types of images from the microscope&#39;s camera or detector, which are displayed at the top of the timeline below the image viewer: single acquisition (individual single aquisition images acquired directly from the TEM software), raw&#160;(images from the detector/camera live stream that have not had any digital drift corrections applied; these images may have been physically corrected via stage movement or beam shift), and drift corrected (images from the detector/camera live stream that have been digitally drift). Data collected during an experiment or session can be further refined into smaller sections or snippets of data, known as collections, with no loss of embedded metadata. From the analysis software, images, image stacks, and metadata can be directly exported into a variety of open format images and spreadsheet types for analysis using other tools and programs.
The framework of microscope control, stabilization, and metadata integration enabled by the MVS software also allows the implementation of additional machine-vision programs or modules, designed to alleviate limitations in current TEM workflows. One of the first modules developed to take advantage of this synchronization platform is electron dose calibration and spatial tracking of beam exposed areas within the sample. All TEM images are formed from the interaction between the sample and the electron beam. However, these interactions can also result in negative, inescapable impacts on the sample, such as radiolysis and knock-on damage11,12, and require a careful balance between applying a high enough electron dose to generate the image and minimizing the resulting beam damage13,14.
Although many users rely on screen current measurements to estimate the electron dose, this method has been shown to widely underestimate the actual beam current15. Qualitative dose values can be obtained via the screen current on the same microscope with the same settings, but reproducing these dose conditions using different microscopes or settings is highly subjective. Additionally, any imaging parameter adjustments made by the user during the experiment, such as spot size, aperture, magnification, or intensity, require a separate measurement of the screen current to calculate the resulting dose. Users must either rigorously limit the imaging conditions used during a given experiment or meticulously measure and record each lens condition used, significantly complicating and extending the experiment beyond what is feasible for normal operation of the microscope16,17.
Dose, referred to as dose software for this protocol, is a dose calibration software module that utilizes a dedicated calibration holder designed to enable automated current measurements. A Faraday cup, the gold standard for accurate beam current calibration15, is integrated into the tip of the calibration holder. The MVS software performs a series of beam current and beam area calibrations for each lens condition and embeds those values on the images at the pixel level.
In this video article, MVS software protocols designed to enhance all areas of the TEM workflow are presented using representative nanomaterial samples. A beam sensitive zeolite nanoparticle sample14 is used to demonstrate the calibration and dose management workflows. We perform a representative in situ heating experiment using an Au/FeOx nanocatalyst18,19 sample that undergoes significant morphological changes when heated. This in situ experiment highlights the software&#39;s stabilization algorithms and its ability to collate multiple streams of metadata, which is an inherent challenge for in situ and operando studies. Although not described in the protocol, because of its unique electron dose sensitivity, we discuss representative examples of the software&#39;s utility for liquid-EM studies (protocols for which have been previously reported in the literature20,21,22), and how these techniques can be applied to improve the understanding of the effect of dose on liquid-EM experiments. Finally, we show how data analysis is streamlined using the offline analysis software to visualize, filter, and export a variety of image, video, and data files into other accessible formats.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65446/65446fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: User interface examples for MVS and analysis software. (A) The synchronization software image viewing pane and control panel. A connection between the TEM and the synchronization software is established by activating the Connect button, which streams the images and metadata from the microscope into the synchronization software. From the image viewer, the operator can perform a variety of machine-vision assisted operations, such as Drift Correct and Focus Assist. It also provides the ability to apply Tag Images and Review Session without disrupting data collection. (B) Screenshot of the image analysis software highlighting the location of the Image View Port, Timeline, and the Metadata and Analysis panel. The analysis software can be accessed at any point during an experiment to review the images acquired up to that time point using the Review Session button. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65446/65446fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Autor destacado: Un enfoque de visión artificial para los flujos de trabajo de microscopía electrónica de transmisión, el análisis de resultados y la gestión de datos  

Un enfoque de visión artificial para flujos de trabajo de microscopía electrónica de transmisión, análisis de resultados y gestión de datos

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dose Calibration of the Transmission Electron Microscope for TEM and Scanning TEM STEM Imaging Modes Using a Machine-Vision Approach at JoVE.com

Dose Calibration of the Transmission Electron Microscope for TEM and Scanning TEM (STEM) Imaging Modes Using a Machine-Vision Approach  

Calibración de dosis del microscopio electrónico de transmisión para los modos de imagen TEM y TEM de barrido (STEM) utilizando un enfoque de visión artificial

Comience la calibración de la dosis haciendo clic en el icono Conectar en el software MVS instalado en TAEM. Seleccione el microscopio y active la conexión entre el TEM y el software MVS para visualizar las imágenes de la cámara o detector en el visor de imágenes. Vaya a la pestaña Dosis y haga clic en Iniciar calibración del área de dosis.Haga clic en Aceptar para confirmar el hardware de calibración y siga las indicaciones del software para introducir los valores configurables por el usuario solicitados. A continuación, haga clic en Iniciar calibración de corriente de dosis. Siga las indicaciones del software e introduzca los valores configurables por el usuario solicitados para completar la calibración.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Dose Calibration of the Transmission Electron Microscope for TEM and Scanning TEM (STEM) Imaging Modes Using a Machine-Vision Approach

342 vistas. Comience la calibración de la dosis haciendo clic en el icono Conectar en el software MVS instalado en TAEM. Seleccione el microscopio y active la conexión entre el TEM y el software MVS para visualizar las imágenes de la cámara o detector en el visor de imágenes. Vaya a la pestaña Dosis y haga clic en Iniciar calibración del área de dosis.Haga clic en Aceptar para confirmar el hardware de calibración y siga las indicaciones del software para introducir los valores configurabl...

Video: Dose Calibration of the Transmission Electron Microscope for TEM and Scanning TEM (STEM) Imaging Modes Using a Machine-Vision Approach  

A Machine-Vision Approach to Transmission Electron Microscopy Workflows, Results Analysis and Data Management

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) enables users to study materials at their fundamental, atomic scale. Complex experiments routinely generate thousands of images with numerous parameters that require time-consuming and complicated analysis. AXON synchronicity is a machine-vision synchronization (MVS) software solution designed to address the pain points inherent to TEM studies. Once installed on the microscope, it enables the continuous synchronization of images and metadata generated by the microscope, detector, and in situ systems during an experiment. This connectivity enables the application of machine-vision algorithms that apply a combination of spatial, beam, and digital corrections to center and track a region of interest within the field of view and provide immediate image stabilization. In addition to the substantial improvement in resolution afforded by such stabilization, metadata synchronization enables the application of computational and image analysis algorithms that calculate&#8239;variables between images. This calculated metadata can be used to analyze trends or identify key areas of interest within a dataset, leading to new insights and the development of more sophisticated machine-vision capabilities in the future. One such module that builds on this calculated metadata is dose calibration and management. The dose module provides state-of-the-art calibration, tracking, and management of both the electron fluence (e-/&#197;2&#183;s-1) and cumulative dose (e-/&#197;2) that is delivered to specific areas of the sample on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This enables a comprehensive overview of the interaction between the electron beam and the sample. Experiment analysis is streamlined through a dedicated analysis software in which datasets consisting of images and corresponding metadata are easily visualized, sorted, filtered, and exported. Combined, these tools facilitate efficient collaborations and experimental analysis, encourage data mining and enhance the microscopy experience.

Here, we present a protocol to utilize machine-vision software to stabilize dynamic processes during TEM imaging, while concurrently indexing multiple streams of metadata to each image into a navigable timeline. We demonstrate how this platform enables automated calibration and mapping of the electron dose over the course of an experiment.