Condenser Lens Research Articles

Wave Optical Modeling of the SEM Column From Source to Specimen.

Probe formation in scanning electron microscope (SEM) is often reduced to objective lens action modeling based on a point-spread function or Fourier transforms. In this study, we present the first complete wave optical modeling of the whole SEM column based on plane-by-plane propagation of the electron beam wavefunction without simplifying the optical system. We identify the challenges in plane-by-plane beam propagation and show how sampling limitations produce aliased results. Through a careful selection and combination of propagators, we have developed a general wave optical propagation method that is able to overcome the aliasing problem to achieve the appropriate probe widths. Using a two-step propagator, we show that it is possible to model the electron beam distribution throughout the column from the virtual source plane to the specimen plane. We also show that our results from the wave optical simulations are consistent with the geometrical theory of probe formation. Finally, as a direct application of this method, we demonstrated that the combined effect of aberrations in the condenser lens and the probe forming objective lens cannot be accurately represented using only the objective lens. Designing beam shaping experiments and studying the effect of partial coherence can be some novel applications.

Design of Holographic Condenser Lens for Visible Light Lithography

Photolithography with visible light at λ = 405 nm utilizing the concept of nonlinear saturable absorption effect where the size of the spot is diminished to the nanometer scale as proposed by several researchers is an alluring proposition for cost-effective projection lithography. Costly conventional condenser lenses can be replaced by monochromatic aberration-free and cost-effective volume phase holographic lenses for visible light photolithography with enhanced resolution utilizing the concept of off-axis illumination. However, the diffraction efficiency of holographic lenses depends on the wavelength of illuminating light and the angle of illumination. Angular and spectral characteristics of volume phase holograms can be controlled by optimizing processing parameters. The results on the theoretical optimization of three important processing parameters, namely fringe spacing ( ∧ ), thickness of the film ( d ), and refractive index modulation ( Δ n ) in the light of coupled wave theory for recording holographic lenses of high diffraction efficiency at λ = 405 nm are presented. It is pointed out that a properly designed single holographic lens can be used for off-axis illumination of a photomask with a parallel beam of light, whereas a system of two identical holographic lenses cemented together has to be used to realize a condenser lens similar to a converging lens.

Application of Hilbert-differential phase contrast to scanning transmission electron microscopy.

We report a novel class of scanning transmission electron microscopy with Hilbert-differential phase contrast (HDP-STEM) that displays nanostructures of thin samples in a topographical manner. A semicircular π-phase plate (PP) was used as an optical device for manipulating electron waves in HDP-STEM. This is the different design from the Zernike PP used in our previous phase plate STEM (P-STEM), but both must be placed in the front focal plane of the condenser lens. HDP-STEM images of multiwalled carbon nanotubes showed higher contrast than those obtained by conventional bright-field STEM. As the PP of the HDP-STEM is nonsymmetrical, several different images were obtained by changing the detection conditions. A two-dimensional electron detector was also used to remove the scattering contrast component in the same way as with the Zernike PP and obtain an image containing only (differential) phase contrast.

Investigation of applicability of long-distance LP system for Li target diagnostics in Fusion Neutron Source

The beam target for generating a fusion neutron field in the Advanced-Fusion Neutron Source (A-FNS) is currently designed as a one-side free-surface liquid lithium (Li) jet flowing along a vertical concave wall. Characteristics of its thickness fluctuation were diagnosed in the EVEDA (Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activity) Lithium Test Loop (ELTL), which has almost the same scale as the actual target excepting its channel width. In the diagnostics, the Laser Probe (LP) system was used. However, in an actual fusion neutron source, the diagnostics need to be operated from over 10 m away with no condenser lens at a downstream point from the final mirror for directing the incident laser to the Li surface from the perspective of Li vapor and radio activation. Whereat, the long-distance LP system for the actual Li target was conceptually designed for the IFMIF, and its precision error was also verified using a specular-reflection object and a water loop. In this previous study, the precision of measurement was evaluated as sufficiently high compared with the required limitation of surface variation (±1 mm). Then, in this study, we aim to verify the possibility of long-distance measurement of thickness variation for the free-surface Li flow. In the measurement, the incident laser head was set at a distance of about 10 m from the Li surface. And, while the previous measurement setup employed the focusing lens system with a focal length of 300 mm, some focusing lenses with longer focal length were used in this study. As a consequence, the Li surface variation was successfully detected and measured though the signal intensity of the reflected laser became low. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the impact of focal lengths on the detected signal was small.

Precision-controlled ultrafast electron microscope platforms. A case study: Multiple-order coherent phonon dynamics in 1T-TaSe2 probed at 50 fs-10 fm scales.

We report on the first detailed beam tests attesting the fundamental principle behind the development of high-current-efficiency ultrafast electron microscope systems where a radio frequency (RF) cavity is incorporated as a condenser lens in the beam delivery system. To allow for the experiment to be carried out with a sufficient resolution to probe the performance at the emittance floor, a new cascade loop RF controller system is developed to reduce the RF noise floor. Temporal resolution at 50 fs in full-width-at-half-maximum and detection sensitivity better than 1% are demonstrated on exfoliated 1T-TaSe2 system under a moderate repetition rate. To benchmark the performance, multi-terahertz edge-mode coherent phonon excitation is employed as the standard candle. The high temporal resolution and the significant visibility to very low dynamical contrast in diffraction signals via high-precision phase-space manipulation give strong support to the working principle for the new high-brightness femtosecond electron microscope systems.

RIS-aided dynamically adaptive wide field-of-view receiver for visible light communication in industrial internet of things.

In the current visible light communication (VLC) system, a condenser lens is generally used in the front of receiver to achieve a higher data rate, making an extremely narrow field-of-view for the receiver. With the spread of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the communication between mobile terminals is urgently required. A wide-range detecting method for VLC system in IIoT scenario is asked. In this paper, a novel self-adaptive wide-FoV receiver involving reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) is proposed. The effective detecting range of the receiver can be expanded by dynamically adjusting the incident light directions with the assistance of RIS. Based on the maximum arrived flux criterion, the mathematical model is established and the optimized RIS parameter tuning algorithm is presented. The feasibility and validity of the method are verified by simulation. The results show that the tolerable transceiver offset can be increased to 2∼4 times as the conventional receiver.

Low-cost Schlieren system for flow visualization in transparent media in the wind sector

The Schlieren technique is frequently used for qualitative visualization of flow around an object. Temperature and density change can also be obtained with this technique. In this project, the aim was to develop a low-cost Schlieren system starting from easily available materials and commercial equipment. Cell phone holders were used as supports to position the concave mirrors. A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp was used as the illumination source, while a knife, a condenser lens, and printed parts in PLA (polylactic acid) plastic were key to the prototype development. Preliminary results showed an effect with limited visual perception due to the low temperature change in the objects under examination. In later experiments, qualitative visualization with a better degree of visual perception was observed due to the higher temperature range reached in the test. The images that were obtained were satisfactory and they allowed validation of the prototype development. Its main application points to the visualization of transparent flows that are formed in the airfoil of a wind turbine blade.

Characterization of transverse electron pulse trains using RF powered traveling wave metallic comb striplines

Advancements in ultrafast electron microscopy have allowed elucidation of spatially selective structural dynamics. However, as the spatial resolution and imaging capabilities have made progress, quantitative characterization of the electron pulse trains has not been reported at the same rate. In fact, inexperienced users have difficulty replicating the technique because only a few dedicated microscopes have been characterized thoroughly. Systems replacing laser driven photoexcitation with electrically driven deflectors especially suffer from a lack of quantified characterization because of the limited quantity. The primary advantages to electrically driven systems are broader frequency ranges, ease of use and simple synchronization to electrical pumping. Here, we characterize the technical parameters for electrically driven UEM including the shape, size and duration of the electron pulses using low and high frequency chopping methods. At high frequencies, pulses are generated by sweeping the electron beam across a chopping aperture. For low frequencies, the beam is continuously forced off the optic axis by a DC potential, then momentarily aligned by a countering pulse. Using both methods, we present examples that measure probe durations of 2 ns and 10 ps for the low and high frequency techniques, respectively. We also discuss how the implementation of a pulsed probe affects STEM imaging conditions by adjusting the first condenser lens.

A simple in situ method for optimizing settings for the Einzel lens elements in a focused ion beam.

Ion beams have had an incredible impact on research in the past couple of decades. One major reason for this is the continued development of systems having optimal beam currents that allows one to image more clearly at different spot sizes to include higher currents that allow for faster milling. The advancements for Focused ion beam (FIB) columns have developed rapidly due to the computational optimization of lens designs. However, once a system has been produced, the optimal column settings for these lenses may change or simply become obscure. Our work involves regaining this optimization with the newly applied values through a new algorithm, requiring hours, rather than the days or weeks that existing methods require. FIB columns frequently utilize electrostatic lens elements (normally two, condenser and objective). This work presents a method to quickly determine the optimal lens 1 (L1) values for large beam currents (∼1 nA or greater), from a carefully acquired set of images without any detailed knowledge of the column geometry. Each set of images, acquired through a voltage sweep of the objective lens (L2) for a preset L1, is partitioned for its spectral content. The sharpest position at each spectral level is used to assess how close the preset L1 is to the optimal. This procedure is conducted for a range of L1 values, the optimal being the one having the smallest range in spectral sharpness. For a system that has suitable automation in place, the time to optimize L1 for a given beam energy and aperture diameter is ∼1.5 h or less. In addition to the technique for finding optimal condenser and objective lens parameters, an alternative peak determination method is presented.

The Effect of Operation Modes on the Electron Beam Diameter in Condenser Magnetic Lenses System

The effect of operation modes of condensing magnetic lenses has been investigated to determining the total demagnification and the diameter of the electron beam coming out of it. The cross-over point inside the electron gun is considered as the object (do) with a diameters ranges of (10 – 100 µm) to find out the optical efficiency of the double lens condensing system and its ability to forming a high précising image of the 1st real image formed inside electron gun of thermal emission that acts as an actual source of electron beam. The following modes; (weak- weak), (weak- strong), (strong- strong), and (strong- weak); denoted as (#1, #2, #3, #4 respectively); have been studied. The best value for the total demagnification and the diameter of the electron beam has been obtained in the mode of (strong- strong; #3); where the parameters were: (dMt = 1014.199), (d2 = 49.3 nm), while the worst value has been achieved in the mode (weak- weak; #1) (dMt = 31.56267), (d2 = 1584.15 nm). It is found that by increasing the demagnification of the first condenser lens, the demagnification of the final real image produced by the double lens system has been positively affected. It is found that the relationships that obtained between the demagnification and the current density can be used as a calibration curve to obtain the required total demagnification for the electronic beam diameter for any mode according to the purpose of the desired application.

Direct-micro-fabrication of Hydrophobic Surface with Re-entrant Texture on Metal Produced by Femtosecond-pulsed Laser

Re-entrant textures are promising geometries for hydrophobic surfaces, however a direct processing method of microscale re-entrant textures applicable for general industrial materials such as metals has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a possibility of direct processing method of microscale re-entrant textures by using a femtosecond-pulsed laser. We designed a novel and simple optical unit including a pair of step mirrors and a newly designed aspherical condenser lens that enable processing of reverse-tapered uniaxial grooves. A maximum reverse-taper angle of 20° was achieved on stainless steel using a femtosecond-pulsed laser that could be controlled linearly with the step mirror angles. Four types of test-pieces with re-entrant texture composed of reverse-tapered grooves were fabricated with reverse-tapered angles of 5 – 20°. It was demonstrated that the apparent contact angle exhibited an increase in the processed angle of the re-entrant texture. The re-entrant structures on stainless steel achieved a hydrophobicity over 140° of apparent contact angle with good stability, and allowing water droplets to slide off.

Improving Data Quality in Traditional Low‐Dose Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Imaging

AbstractIt has become very important to study and find optimal conditions for imaging electron‐beam (e‐beam) sensitive materials in scanning transmission electron microscopy under low electron‐dose with high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Convergence and collection angles and electron‐probe current are essential parameters. However, these parameters have rarely been discussed in a systematic way. In this paper, the illumination and collection conditions are optimized according to the resolution requirement of different materials by adjusting the condenser and intermediate lenses in a commercial transmission electron microscope. To demonstrate the significance of optimizing these parameters, two examples, zeolite MFI and metal–organic framework (MOF) MIL‐101, are taken among the sensitive materials, with the most important electron incidences along the [010] and <110> directions, respectively. High SNR atomic resolution images of MFI are obtained with e‐beam current as low as 0.50 pA, reaching information transfer for reflection up to 18 0 2 corresponding to d‐spacing of 0.11 nm, close to the resolution limit of 0.098 nm from resolvable diffraction limit. MOF MIL‐101 is characterized under an even lower e‐beam 0.2 pA to avoid severe beam damage. High‐quality annular dark and bright field images are obtained, which proves the wide applicability of this method on more e‐beam sensitive materials.

Large size lenticular shaped phosphors-in-glass by Isobam-APS gel casting to act for converting and condensing in LCD projector

White light diodes (WLEDs) composed of blue chip and phosphor-converter are widely used in liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors as backlights. And it often needs a condenser lens to irradiate white light onto the LCD screen. In this paper, a large size lenticular shaped phosphors-in-glass (PiG) was prepared by Isobam-APS gel casting for the first time. The PiG could act for converting and condensing in LCD projector. Then a rectangular light spot similar to the shape of LCD screen was obtained to reduce the loss of light. The maximum temperatures of the chip and PiG were 62.1 °C and 57.3 °C respectively after working for 600 s and gradually stabilized by simulation. It was proved that simulation result was reliable through comparing with the actual measured value and the lenticular shaped PiG had good heat dissipation capacity for its large area. In conclusion, this is a successful application of PiG in LCD projector, which has guidance and promoting effect.

Miniaturized optimal incident light angle-fitted dark field system for contrast-enhanced real-time monitoring of 2D/3D-projected cell motions.

In the field of biology, dark field microscopy provides superior insight into cells and subcellular structures. However, most dark field microscopes are equipped with a dark field filter and a light source on a 2D-based specimen, so only a flat sample can be observed in a limited space. We propose a compact cell monitoring system with built-in dark field filter with an optimized incident angle of the light source to provide real-time cell imaging and spatial cell monitoring for long-term free from phototoxicity. 2D projection imaging was implemented using a modular condenser lens to acquire high-contrast images. This enabled the long-term monitoring of cells, and the real-time monitoring of cell division and death. This system was able to image, by 2D projection, cells on the surface thinly coated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, as well as living cells that migrated along the surface of glass beads and hydrogel droplets with a diameter of about 160 μm. The optimal incident light angle-fitted dark field system combines high-contrast imaging sensitivity and high spatial resolution to even image cells on 3D surfaces.

Annular illumination in 2D quantitative phase imaging: a systematic evaluation.

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an invaluable microscopic technology for definitively imaging phase objects such as biological cells and optical fibers. Traditionally, the condenser lens in QPI produces disk illumination of the object. However, it has been realized by numerous investigators that annular illumination can produce higher-resolution images. Although this performance improvement is impressive and well documented, the evidence presented has invariably been qualitative in nature. Recently, a theoretical basis for annular illumination was presented by Bao et al. [Appl. Opt.58, 137 (2019)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.58.000137]. In our current work, systematic experimental QPI measurements are made with a reference phase mask to rigorously document the performance of annular illumination. In both theory and experiment, three spatial-frequency regions are identified: low, mid, and high. The low spatial-frequency region response is very similar for disk and annular illumination, both theoretically and experimentally. Theoretically, the high spatial-frequency region response is predicted to be much better for the annular illumination compared to the disk illumination--and is experimentally confirmed. In addition, the mid-spatial-frequency region response is theoretically predicted to be less for annular illumination than for disk illumination. This theoretical degradation of the mid-spatial-frequency region is only slightly experimentally observed. This bonus, although not well understood, further elevates the performance of annular illumination over disk illumination.

Scanning two-grating free electron Mach-Zehnder interferometer

We demonstrate a 2-grating free electron Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed in a transmission electron microscope. A symmetric binary phase grating and condenser lens system forms two spatially separated, focused probes at the sample which can be scanned while maintaining alignment. The two paths interfere at a second grating, creating in constructive or destructive interference in output beams. This interferometer has many notable features: positionable probe beams, large path separations relative to beam width, continuously tunable relative phase between paths, and real-time phase information. Here we use the electron interferometer to measure the relative phase shifts imparted to the electron probes by electrostatic potentials as well as a demonstration of quantitative nanoscale phase imaging of a polystyrene latex nanoparticle.

Reduction of mid-spatial frequency errors on aspheric and freeform optics by circular-random path polishing.

Pseudo-random paths are a useful tool to reduce mid-spatial frequency errors created in the processing of optical surfaces by sub-aperture polishing tools. Several types of patterns have been proposed, including hexagonal, square and circular, but prior literature has largely focused on flat and gently curved surfaces. Here, an extension of the circular-random path to strongly curved aspheric and freeform surfaces is proposed. The main feature of the algorithm is to cover the entire surface to be polished with a uniformly distributed tool path. Aspheric condenser lenses are then polished with a regular raster and circular-random path. Analysis of the optical performance shows that the random path can reduce the amplitude of mid-spatial frequency errors and relative intensity of satellite images. These features are particularly desirable in short wavelength applications, such as mirrors for EUV and X-ray.

Phase-coded speckle illumination for laser Fourier ptychographic microscopy

It remains a tough task for designing a microscopy system to approach the diffraction limit over a wide field of view due to its restricted space bandwidth product (SBP). Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) has been developed to broaden the SBP of a conventional microscope platform without major hardware modifications. In this paper, we propose a novel FPM system based on the phase-coded speckle illumination, termed PSI-FPM, which employs a laser source with a speckle illumination control optical system. A phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM) with a condenser lens is utilized in the PSI-FPM system to project the phase-coded speckle illumination patterns onto the sample. The convolution between the sample spectrum and the illumination spectrum in the Fourier domain extend the numerical aperture of the objective that acts as a low-pass filter with cut-off frequency. The SLM is introduced in the PSI-FPM system to produce the specific illumination patterns so that the number of the captured images used for reconstruction are greatly reduced. In addition, the generated pattern is scanned to different directions without mechanical movement, which improves the robustness of the system. The PSI-FPM system is validated against simulations and experiments, and as a result reconstructs high-resolution images once the phase retrieval algorithm is employed. We envision that the PSI-FPM system will be suitable for many other speckle imaging applications.

Teaching Smartphone Funduscopy with 20 Diopter Lens in Undergraduate Medical Education.

PurposeTo assess attitudes of pre-clinical undergraduate medical students toward learning smartphone funduscopy (SF) and its appropriateness as a teaching tool.Patients and MethodsSecond year medical students received instruction on direct ophthalmoscopy (DO) and SF; they were then paired with a peer and randomly assigned to perform DO or SF first. The SF technique involved freehand alignment of the axes of the smartphone camera with a condenser lens. Both techniques were done through a maximally dilated pupil. A questionnaire was completed to acquire data on baseline experience, performance of both examination techniques, attitudes, and appropriateness. Statistical significance testing and Bland-Altman analysis were used to determine differences between DO and SF, and a multivariable mixed regression model was fitted to identify any predictors for positive attitudes toward DO or SF.ResultsOne hundred thirty-seven (137) individuals completed the study. A similar proportion of students could identify the optic nerve, macula, and vessels using DO and SF. However, self-reported quality scores were higher for DO for the optic nerve (p = 0.006) and macula (p = 0.08). The mean (standard deviation) attempts to identify these major structures were 2.7 (SD 2.3) for DO and 4.5 (SD 2.9) for SF (p < 0.001). Attitudes of students were consistently more positive toward DO across the five questions assessed. A small subset of students had equally positive attitudes toward DO and SF. Improved quality scores were predictive of positive attitudes for both DO and SF. Ultimately, 24% of students preferred SF over DO.ConclusionAmong inexperienced examiners of the fundus through a dilated pupil, SF is a non-inferior technique to DO in identifying structures. Despite overall favorable attitudes towards the more familiar DO, those students who quickly learned the SF technique had similar satisfaction scores. Teaching SF should be considered in undergraduate medical education.

Simulation of optical properties of ellipsoidal monocapillary X-ray optics with inner-surface imperfections

Ellipsoidal monocapillary x-ray optics are used as condenser lenses in full-field transmission x-ray microscopy. The numerical aperture (NA) of the ellipsoidal monocapillary is designed to match that of the x-ray zone plate objective. In practice, monocapillaries have inner-surface errors that lead to mismatches between the monocapillary and the zone plate. In this study, mathematical models of monocapillaries with elliptic cross-section deformation and centreline straightness errors were developed, respectively. Furthermore, the optical properties of these monocapillaries were simulated based on a ray-tracing method. The simulation provides a qualitative picture of the NA and illumination angle distributions of the ellipsoidal monocapillary with inner-surface errors, and it is useful for predicting the inner-surface imperfections from the x-ray ring behind the monocapillary.