How Do I Create a Specific Bitmap Image for Focused Ion Beam Microscopy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter vinven7
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Image Photoshop
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation of a specific bitmap image for use in Focused Ion Beam (FIB) Microscopy, particularly focusing on generating a grayscale image that corresponds to the depth of drilling required for creating nano-sized structures. The conversation includes technical details about image formats and programming approaches to achieve the desired output.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the process of using grayscale values in a bitmap image to dictate the depth of drilling by the FIB, explaining how black represents maximum depth and white represents no drilling.
  • Another participant suggests determining the image format needed for the FIB and whether existing software can read bitmap images, emphasizing the importance of format compatibility.
  • A third participant provides a brief overview of the BMP file format, noting the distinction between Device Dependent Bitmap (DDB) and Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) formats, and asks for clarification on which type is needed.
  • A later reply offers a detailed method for creating the bitmap image using Mathematica, including defining a function for the pyramid shape, generating pixel values, and exporting the image, while also mentioning potential delays during the export process.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of using a simple image control to create high-resolution bitmaps and refers to detailed instructions for ease of use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various approaches and tools for creating the bitmap image, but there is no consensus on a single method or solution. Multiple viewpoints on image formats and programming tools remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the specifics of the image format required for the FIB or the best programming approach to create the bitmap image. There are also assumptions about the capabilities of different software tools that have not been explicitly verified.

vinven7
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
I am trying to create a nano - size pyramid using an FIB - Focused Ion Beam Microscope. The way it works is, it takes a 1000 x 1000 pixel bitmap image as an input. Each pixel is in gray scale. At the start we input a maximum value: let's say we set 'black' as 100 nm. If the pixel is black, then the FIB drills a hole that is a 100 nm deep. If the pixel is say only 40% black, then it drills a hole that is 40 nm deep. If the pixel is white, then it is left alone. So if I need to create a cone, then the bitmap image for the cone would look like a white dot at the centre and grayscale circle extending out from it with increasing tone of black. I hope you get this.

The question that I have is this. How do I create a bitmap image to this specification? I know that Matlab, photoshop etc does create bitmap images, but I need clear, step by step instructions. I have tried other informational pages but I am usually lost on some basic issue. Any help will be greatly appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org
First you need to decide what image format you want to use. There are a lot of them(.bmp, .dib, .gif, .png, ...) Is there an existing program for the FIB that reads bitmap images? If so, what format does it ask for? If not and you need to write this, what format do you want to use? Once you've decided this, you need to write or adapt a program to write the images in this format. Programs like MATLAB or Mathematica will handle the details for you - if you want to write it from scratch, you need to obtain the image format specification and write something that conforms to it. Here's an example starting point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.png
 
Developed as a raster graphics image file format, BMP (full name: Bitmap) is the standard image file format on Microsoft Windows operating systems. BMP can be divided into two types: Device Dependent Bitmap (DDB) file format and Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) file format.So, which bitmap do you want to creat? And if you want to see more detail of creating bitmap, check the professional open source site.
 
In Mathematica there's an easy way to do this:

1. Define your function. So for a pyramid I use:

Code:
F[x_, y_] := 2 ( (Abs[(1/2 - x)] + Abs[1/2 - y]))
G[x_,y_]:= If[F[x, y] > 1, 1, F[x, y]]

The "F" yields a 0-1 value that is the shape of a pyramid. I chose to use the Absolute Values as x goes from 0 to 1, so this way the sum adds to 1 at its max, and 0 at its min. The G makes it so it doesn't go "less" than white. (white = 1, black =0)

2. Build the table of values, I do:

Code:
pix = 1000; (*Define the number of pixels along each axis *)

data=Table[G[x,y], {x, 1/pix, 1, 1/pix}, {y, 1/pix, 1, 1/pix}]

Here the values go from 1/1000 to 1 by increments of 1/1000. So exactly 1000 pixels in each direction.

3. Convert it to an image, and export it. I do this in one step:
Code:
Export["C:\\test.bmp",  Image[data, ImageResolution -> pix, Magnification -> 1], ImageResolution -> pix]

The path is obvious, in Mathematica you'll notice paths are in quotes, and use "\\" for directory structure. I let the image resolution be the same as the table size, and I don't let Mathematica zoom out on the image.

And it should export the bitmap. It might seem like its hanging, but just give it some time without clicking anything, it should eventually spit it out. Remember, a 1000x1000 bitmap without compression is about 3 megs.

2j5hthg.jpg
 
so you may need a simple image control to create bitmap image, check to see this detailed instruction. it will be very easy to create high resolution bitmap with any size you want.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • · Replies 152 ·
6
Replies
152
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
595
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K