Beam mode on exit from Digitize Image

[Paul Carpenter]

Observation on the Jeol 8200 using PFE v 10.1.5:

After exiting the Digitize Image window, the 8200 is left in sgsp mode and every time we exit the window I am having to select (on OS9 computer) spot mode then picture mode in order to get a scanning image.  The instrument should be in sgsp mode for beam deflection but on exit from Digitize Image I would expect to be in picture mode since most applications require immediate imaging.

Paul

[John Donovan]

Hi Paul,
I checked the code and it looks as though we set it up to capture the beam size, beam mode and mag before we load the DigitizeImage window, and then restore those original settings on exit.

So if the probe is in scan mode when the DigitizeImage window is opened, it should return to that state when closed. If not there could be a problem that I need to fix.

Alternatively there is a checkbox which someone requested (you?) that allows the operator to just skip setting any beam modes when the DigitizeImage window is opened and closed. You might try checking this checkbox circled here:



and see if that helps. The checkbox should be "sticky" when you re-open the DigitizeImage window.

A debugmode log window capture would also help to resolve this issue. Please add some comments about what mode it started in (before opening) and ended in (after closing) and what state the SkipBeamModes checkbox is in.

You can send the debugmode log directly to me by email.

Thanks!

[Paul Carpenter]

I will say this. The Jeol never leaves the instrument in sgsp mode.  The only times to be in sgsp mode are either actively acquiring a digital image or actively acquiring a beam deflection analysis. PFE should clear from this mode at the conclusion of those actions and that should be the state upon exit from Digitize Image. Again, it is reallly confusing for users because the only way to clear sgsp mode on the 8200 is to select spot mode then picture mode from the os9 computer.

I will look at  this checkbox setting but the point is you do not want to exit any task staying in sgsp. Even if you want to do automated analysis using beam deflection, you should command sgsp on a per sample basis.

Edit, I just ran with the checkbox set and it still leaves the 8200 in sgsp upon exit from the DI window.  It looks like the 8200 is being put into BUP mode, then spot mode (this may be the driver correction for the 8200 spot mode bug), but after being set to spot mode it is clearly set to sgsp again on exit.

Paul

[John Donovan]

Hi Paul,
Ok, this is helpful, in thinking about this and looking at my code I have a hypothesis...

When you've acquired an image (but not saved it), and then close the DigitizeImage window and then it asks you if you want to save the image to the database, at that moment *before* you click Yes or No, is the instrument in the proper state?

Then when you click Yes or No, *then* the instrument is put back into SGSP mode?

[Paul Carpenter]

After acquiring the image, DI puts the 8200 in BUP mode (brown cross hair, scanning mode)
When you click Close the 8200 goes through several cycles of image mode then is put into spot mode (green crosshair)
Then dialog asking about saving the image comes up, click No (we always save as bmp and load into PS)
Then upon exit 8200 is left in sgsp mode.

This has been this way for at least a month; I would have voiced issues regarding sgsp mode before. I think you cleaned up the image mode cycling (an improvement) but somehow the sgsp mode was left as the last setting.

If you want to leave the instrument in BUP mode on exit, ok, that is a good mode.  Don't want spot mode because the likely next step is imaging by default and spot mode will be commanded in Automate as needed for an analysis.

[John Donovan]

Then dialog asking about saving the image comes up, click No (we always save as bmp and load into PS)

Just FYI, you should click Yes and save it to the database because then PFE saves all the image and stage calibration info automatically. 

Then if you want you can subsequently export the image as BMP for Photoshop from the Run menu, but you'll now have an ACQ file for the stage calibration.  These ACQ files are now also automatically exported for all images as BMP from, the Output menu.  Saves a lot of mousing around!

I'm going to make a test version with some swapped calls if you can do a quick test.

[John Donovan]

Hi Paul,
OK, so moving the re-center the beam deflection code to before setting the beam mode seems to fix that exit problem.

Thanks for testing that tweak!   

I'll roll it out this weekend for everyone.
john