HoloWorks 5
HoloWorks v5 is a significant step forward. It is designed for multi-core processing and uses independent threads where possible. Thus, the workload can be spread over different cores easily. In version 5, not only has the GUI (graphical user interface) seen a major lift, but the underlying algorithms and code have changed even more. The result is a simple but powerful interface for the novice as well as the expert while allowing a wide variety of possibilities for customizing off-axis holography technology for research purposes. Today, HoloWorks v5 the most attractive package for off-axis holography. 50 menu items include live features as:
- View live phase, amplitude and intensity images at several frames per second
- Correct images live for isoplanatic aberrations
- Live phase unwrapping
- Live fringe contrast, hologram quality and biprism drift measurements with lineplot display for optimizing fringe contrast and hologram quality to assure optimum data acquisition
- Thickness determination (using holography’s characteristics as perfect inelastic particle filter) and embedded, extensive list (>90 elements/compounds) of known mean inner potential values
- Live data cube acquisition and processing for > 2π/100 phase resolution
- Accurate diffraction peak evaluation
- data- and processing reproducibility through consistent tracking of processing steps and parameters under image/tags/history and the "Results" window
- Over 70 additional scripting functions supporting Fourier optics and data tracking
Note that the output of any one function of HoloWorks can be used as live input for any other HoloWorks function.
Note also that the software has been developed with a strong focus on teaching Fourier optics with hands-on use in the classroom; HoloWorks provides most features found on a modern microscope starting from changing focus, introducing astigmatism or spherical aberration, applying various numerical apertures or experimenting with dark field imaging.
New Seamless Integration
In previous versions, the simultaneous use of DigitalMicrograph® standard tools (i.e., line scan tool) with any function of HoloWorks was not possible. Now, for the first time, all HoloWorks functions have been designed as "threads." This means, the HoloWorks tool suite and the Gatan tool suite work together seamlessly.
Menu Items Become Alive
A further important step has been added to the HoloWorks v4 software. When selecting a HoloWorks menu item while holding down the Shift key, many menu items become live menu items providing additional features. In most cases this means that the same operation continues to be applied to the image whenever one of two things happens:
- The image is being updated (or changed)
- An existing selection in the image was moved
Build Your Own Holographic Script
As electron holography continues to require additional functionality, the HoloWorks v4 software supports the user in building their own functions using the reliable core concepts of HoloWorks. Instead of rewriting hundreds or thousands of lines of code, many complex activities can now be embedded with a single function call. For example, a fully interactive reconstruction process, including image process tracking, can now be called by ~24 lines of code, representing over ten thousand lines of original code.
Improved Digital Fourier Optics
The Fourier transform in HoloWorks handles images of arbitrary size. Because of the slightly different implementation of the Fourier algorithm for non-power-of-two and non-square images, the Fourier space looks as expected from the experimentally oriented user: it looks like the back focal plane in the microscope. There is no skewing because of non-square image sizes or selections. This allows observation of symmetry features without further ado.
Scale Independence
Photons, electrons, neutrons or phonons: off-axis holograms are reconstructed scale independent and aberrations can be corrected for a large scale range from meters (m) to Pico meters (pm). The only conditions being: coherent imaging conditions and Fourier optics applicability.
Continuous Data Acquisition
The continuous data acquisition attaches to live images in general. Whenever the live image updates, the new data are copied into a data cube. This allows improved data averaging via drift compensation not only for holograms.
Phase Resolution Better Than 2pi/100
This feature uses continuous data acquisition into a data cube to compensate for fringe movement and target movement during acquisition. Both fringe movement and target movements are compensated at sub-pixel fringe accuracy with a typical reliability of better than 0.1 pixel. Note that this feature can be used for drift compensation at high magnifications, e.g., in standard high resolution electron microscopy as well.
Computer Requirements
Recommended: i7 or Dual core 2 duo processor at 3GHz or faster, screen size 1280x1920 or larger, RAM: >4GB at 533MHz or faster. Windows XP and GMS v1.4.5 or GMS >1.6.1.
* HoloWorks v5 is not to be used for the purposes of light-optical semiconductor or reticle defect detection or inspection.
