SmartAlign corrects for stage drift and scan distortion from fast-acquisition multi-frame images using rigid and non-rigid image alignment , and improves resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and image-intensity distribution while reducing beam damage effects. The resultant image can be further analyzed quantitatively, say for composition and strain.
Template Matching Module for SmartAlign (the license for TM module is required)
Template matching is a common technique that involves searching for repeating regions, and averaging them to improve image quality. However, the “Template Matching Module” (TM module) includes non-rigid registration of the repeated image-regions. Thus, the TM module is extremely suitable for data that has been acquired by scanning techniques.
Please consult the second References and Technical Notes below for the TM Module. The third one shows a landmark paper in application of the TM module.
STM Application
The SmartAlign can be applied for multi-frame averaging of any data obtained with a scanning system, like a STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy). The multi-frame averaging with the SmartAlign improves the SNR, maximizes the resolving power and achieves unprecedented sub-picometer height precision.
The last one of the References and Technical Notes below shows a landmark paper in application of the SmartAlign to the STM data.
References and Technical Notes (*Basic Readings)
- * L. Jones, H. Yang, T.J. Pennycook, M.S.J. Marshall, S. Van Aert, N.D. Browning, et al.: Smart Align – a new tool for robust non-rigid registration of scanning microscope data, Advanced Structural & Chemical Imaging 1:8 (2015)(Open Access)
- * (TM module) L. Jones, A. Varambhia at. al.: Managing dose-, damage- and data-rates in multi-frame spectrum-imaging, Microscopy, 67, Issue suppl_1, (2018) i98–i113 (Open Access)
- (TM module) M Haruta, Y. Fujiyoshi et al.: Atomic-resolution two-dimensional mapping of holes in the cuprate superconductor La2−x Srx CuO4±δ, PHYSICAL REVIEW B 97, 205139 (2018)
- L. Jones, S. Wenner et al.: Optimising multi-frame ADF-STEM for high-precision atomic-resolution strain mapping, Ultramicroscopy 179 (2017) 57-62.
- C.M. O’Leary, Benedikt Haas, Christoph T. Koch, Peter D. Nellist and Lewys Jones: Increasing Spatial Fidelity and SNR of 4D-STEM Using Multi-Frame Data Fusion, Microscopy and Microanalysis (2021), 1–11 (Open Access).
- * (STM) L. Jones, S. Wang et al.: Maximising the resolving power of the scanning tunneling microscope, Adv. Struct. Chem. Imaging (2018) 4:7 (Open Access).
Examples (Sample Data)
Download
You have to purchase a license (hardware key) to run this program.
Please send your price enquiry to support@hremresearch.com.
- SmartAlign v2.6.2
for GMS 3.5 (64bit)
for GMS 3.4 (64bit)
for GMS 3.3 (64bit) (applicable from GMS 3.0)
for GMS 2.3 32bit GMS 2.3 64bit
for GMS 2.1 32bit GMS 2.1 64bit (applicable from GMS 2.0)
- Template Matching Module for SmartAlign v2.6.2
for GMS 3.5 (64bit)
for GMS 3.4 (64bit)
for GMS 3.3 (64bit) (applicable from GMS 3.0)
for GMS 2.3 32bit GMS 2.3 64bit
for GMS 2.1 32bit GMS 2.1 64bit (applicable from GMS 2.0)
Required plug-ins.
User Key Driver
Previous versions
- SmartAlign v2.6.1
for GMS 3.5 (64bit)
for GMS 3.4 (64bit)
for GMS 3.3 (64bit) (applicable from GMS 3.0)
for GMS 2.3 32bit GMS 2.3 64bit
for GMS 2.1 32bit GMS 2.1 64bit (applicable from GMS 2.0)
- Template Matching Module for SmartAlign v2.5.2 (applicable up to v2.6.1)
for GMS 3.5 (64bit)
for GMS 3.4 (64bit)
for GMS 3.3 (64bit) (applicable from GMS 3.0)
for GMS 2.3 32bit GMS 2.3 64bit
for GMS 2.1 32bit GMS 2.1 64bit (applicable from GMS 2.0)
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