Mary Mager mentioned PC-based systems (Quartz PCI, Image Slave, Printerface from GW, Semicaps). We have a Mac-based system to acuire digital SEM images from an older SEM. The interface is produced by 4pi, Inc.
Russell E. Cook
cook@aaem.amc.anl.gov

...skipping assorted descriptions of specific systems...

It seems worth mentioning that almost any commercial EDS system made in the last decade has this capability as well, regardless of computer platform. The EDS manufacturers developed digital imaging (typically via their own scan generators) for non-digital SEMs in the early 1980s in order to do digital X-ray mapping. Recent models generally have fairly sophisticated noise reduction/image averaging built in.
Rick Mott
rick@pgt.com

Evex Analytical Instruments

Thank you for expressing interest in the VIDX Scan Active Digital Imaging System, the Fast, High Resolution SEM Image Acquisition.

Features VIDX Scan Active Digital Imaging System,
- Menu Driven
- Quick button operation
- X-ray mapping in minutes
- Multisouces acquisition
- 12 Bit high resolution image acquisition 4096 gray Levels
- Independent contrast for each source
- User defined resolution
- Pixel-by-pixel, multi-signal digitization
Now capture up to 6 high resolution images from SEM, STEM, EDS, WDS. Images are scanned from the SEM, directly into the PC as an image file. All images are stored in standard TIFF format. Archive your images on your Hard Drive, Tape Backup, CD Writer. Process your images using Image Pro, the world's greatest image processing software. Write Reports - Import images effortlessly into your word processor. Print to the 1200x600 Laser Printer giving Photo realistic quality. Network your system via the PC.

You will be able to capture images quickly and economically without the use of expensive and time consuming micrographs.

The VIDX Scan Active Digital Imaging System, actively controls the SEM Scan, thus allowing multi-frame image integration. Multiple time constants allow the scan to be slowed for high noise situation such as low voltage or low spot size conditions. Images can be stored with SEM data (micron bars, user comments) permanently overlaid on the image, or stored in the image file without overwriting any part of the image.

The pixel-by-pixel, multi-signal digitization method will assure the precision necessary to overlay images acquired from different sources.

If you would like to learn more about VIDX Technology products contact your Service & Sales representative at (908)874-3800. We look forward to satisfying your X-ray Microanalysis & Imaging needs.

EvexAnalyt@aol.com

We acquire digital images from our analog JEOL840 with a Mac. I simply bought a $600 DA-AD card from GW electronics and a wrote small C-program - and we had digital imaging. It's just controlling the beam scan coils and reading in the detector output, and these signals are typically available as that is just what the EDS companies use for their stuff.
Hasso Weiland
Weiland_Hasso/atc_mail1-id@atc.alcoa.com

Russell E. Cook wrote:
"Mary Mager mentioned PC-based systems (Quartz PCI, Image Slave, Printerface from GW, Semicaps). We have a Mac-based system to acuire digital SEM images from an older SEM. The interface is produced by 4pi, Inc."

I would add the Orion PC-based system from ElectroImage, Inc. We have one connected to our analog JEOL JSM-840 SEM and have been very satisfied with the digital results.
Louie Kerr
lkerr@mbl.edu

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