Observing a raster pattern with Intensity Graph

[Peg]

I am rastering an electron beam using the NI6713 to generate the waveforms that control electron beam deflection. Now I'd like to view the response as the beam is rastered over a sample. I was thinking of using the Intensity Graph to view the image which is obtained by collecting secondary electrons, where secondary electron current is a function of the beam's position on the sample (basically a scanning electron microscope). The x-y array needs to be filled with secondaray electron current magnitudes. I have an NI6034 to use as an AI board. Has anyone tried anything like this?

[Photon_Dan]

As long as you have an input for X position, Y position, and secondary electron current, you can plot an intensity graph. Of course, you might consider the 3D graph as well since the intensity graph's dynamic range is limited to the color range you can perceive. Color blind folks do not get much value from intensity graphs unless you use a simple gray-scale.

Anyway, I've done similar types of plotting, but not with electron beams. I constructed an analysis program for some cutting / carving machinery. I had to plot X vs Y vs a measured signal.

Remember, Alliance Members are here to help. We do this stuff every day.

Daniel L. Press
PrimeTest Corp.
www.primetest.com

[Peg]

Gray-scale is probably best anyway. It is speed that concerns me, and how to embed the Intensity Graph display in the program that controls the egun power supply. The beam will be rastering at about 1000 Hz in x and 50 Hz in y. The raster signal seems to run fairly independently of the rest of the program because of the buffer on the NI4713, although it resets if we change a raster parameter (like frequency). We'd like to be able to adjust gun parameters like focus or alignment while monitoring the Intensity Graph in order to find the best settings. I'm thinking I will need a faster AI board.