scholarly journals Rapid measurement and correction of phase errors fromB0eddy currents: Impact on image quality for non-cartesian imaging

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan K. Brodsky ◽  
Jessica L. Klaers ◽  
Alexey A. Samsonov ◽  
Richard Kijowski ◽  
Walter F. Block
Author(s):  
A. A. Monakov

Introduction. Random deviations of the antenna phase centre of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are a source of phase errors for the received signal. These phase errors frequently cause blurring of the radar image. The image quality can be improved using various autofocus algorithms. Such algorithms estimate phase errors via optimization of an objective function, which defines the radar image quality. The image entropy and sharpness are well known examples of objective functions. The objective function extremum can be found by fast optimization methods, whose realization is a challenging computing task.Aim. To synthesize a versatile and computationally simple autofocusing algorithm allowing any objective function to used without changing its structure significantly.Materials and methods. An algorithm based on substituting the selected objective function with a simpler surrogate objective function, whose extremum can be found by a direct method, is proposed. This method has been referred as the MM optimization in scientific literature. It is proposed to use a quadratic function as a surrogate objective function.Results. The synthesized algorithm is straightforward, not requiring recursive methods for finding the optimal solution. These advantages determine the enhanced speed and stability of the proposed algorithm. Adjusting the algorithm for the selected objective function requires minimal software changes. Compared to the algorithm using a linear surrogate objective function, the proposed algorithm provides a 1.5 times decrease in the standard deviation of the phase error estimate, with an approximately 10 % decrease in the number of iterations.Conclusion. The proposed autofocusing algorithm can be used in synthetic aperture radars to compensate the arising phase errors. The algorithm is based on the MM-optimization of the quadratic surrogate objective functions for radar images. The computer simulation results confirm the efficiency of the proposed algorithm even in case of large phase errors.


Author(s):  
F. A. Heckman ◽  
E. Redman ◽  
J.E. Connolly

In our initial publication on this subject1) we reported results demonstrating that contrast is the most important factor in producing the high image quality required for reliable image analysis. We also listed the factors which enhance contrast in order of the experimentally determined magnitude of their effect. The two most powerful factors affecting image contrast attainable with sheet film are beam intensity and KV. At that time we had only qualitative evidence for the ranking of enhancing factors. Later we carried out the densitometric measurements which led to the results outlined below.Meaningful evaluations of the cause-effect relationships among the considerable number of variables in preparing EM negatives depend on doing things in a systematic way, varying only one parameter at a time. Unless otherwise noted, we adhered to the following procedure evolved during our comprehensive study:Philips EM-300; 30μ objective aperature; magnification 7000- 12000X, exposure time 1 second, anti-contamination device operating.


Author(s):  
K. Shibatomi ◽  
T. Yamanoto ◽  
H. Koike

In the observation of a thick specimen by means of a transmission electron microscope, the intensity of electrons passing through the objective lens aperture is greatly reduced. So that the image is almost invisible. In addition to this fact, it have been reported that a chromatic aberration causes the deterioration of the image contrast rather than that of the resolution. The scanning electron microscope is, however, capable of electrically amplifying the signal of the decreasing intensity, and also free from a chromatic aberration so that the deterioration of the image contrast due to the aberration can be prevented. The electrical improvement of the image quality can be carried out by using the fascionating features of the SEM, that is, the amplification of a weak in-put signal forming the image and the descriminating action of the heigh level signal of the background. This paper reports some of the experimental results about the thickness dependence of the observability and quality of the image in the case of the transmission SEM.


Author(s):  
N.J. Tighe ◽  
H.M. Flower ◽  
P.R. Swann

A differentially pumped environmental cell has been developed for use in the AEI EM7 million volt microscope. In the initial version the column of gas traversed by the beam was 5.5mm. This permited inclusion of a tilting hot stage in the cell for investigating high temperature gas-specimen reactions. In order to examine specimens in the wet state it was found that a pressure of approximately 400 torr of water saturated helium was needed around the specimen to prevent dehydration. Inelastic scattering by the water resulted in a sharp loss of image quality. Therefore a modified cell with an ‘airgap’ of only 1.5mm has been constructed. The shorter electron path through the gas permits examination of specimens at the necessary pressure of moist helium; the specimen can still be tilted about the side entry rod axis by ±7°C to obtain stereopairs.


Author(s):  
J. E. Johnson

In the early years of biological electron microscopy, scientists had their hands full attempting to describe the cellular microcosm that was suddenly before them on the fluorescent screen. Mitochondria, Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, and other myriad organelles were being examined, micrographed, and documented in the literature. A major problem of that early period was the development of methods to cut sections thin enough to study under the electron beam. A microtome designed in 1943 moved the specimen toward a rotary “Cyclone” knife revolving at 12,500 RPM, or 1000 times as fast as an ordinary microtome. It was claimed that no embedding medium was necessary or that soft embedding media could be used. Collecting the sections thus cut sounded a little precarious: “The 0.1 micron sections cut with the high speed knife fly out at a tangent and are dispersed in the air. They may be collected... on... screens held near the knife“.


Author(s):  
R. J. Lee ◽  
A. J. Schwoeble ◽  
Yuan Jie

Water/Cement (W/C) ratio is a very important parameter affecting the strength and durability of concrete. At the present time, there are no ASTM methods for determining W/C ratio of concrete structures after the production period. Existing techniques involving thin section standard density comparative associations using light optical microscopy and rely on visual comparisons using standards and require highly trained personnel to produce reliable data. This has led to the exploration of other methods utilizing automated procedures which can offer a precise and rapid measurement of W/C ratio. This paper discusses methods of determining W/C ratio using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) backscattered electron image (BEI) intensity signal and x-ray computer tomography.


Author(s):  
C J R Sheppard

The confocal microscope is now widely used in both biomedical and industrial applications for imaging, in three dimensions, objects with appreciable depth. There are now a range of different microscopes on the market, which have adopted a variety of different designs. The aim of this paper is to explore the effects on imaging performance of design parameters including the method of scanning, the type of detector, and the size and shape of the confocal aperture.It is becoming apparent that there is no such thing as an ideal confocal microscope: all systems have limitations and the best compromise depends on what the microscope is used for and how it is used. The most important compromise at present is between image quality and speed of scanning, which is particularly apparent when imaging with very weak signals. If great speed is not of importance, then the fundamental limitation for fluorescence imaging is the detection of sufficient numbers of photons before the fluorochrome bleaches.


VASA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 278-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Chen ◽  
Rongfeng Qi ◽  
Xiaoqing Cheng ◽  
Changsheng Zhou ◽  
Song Luo ◽  
...  

Background: To evaluate the value of time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF MRA) for the assessment of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass in Moyamoya disease in comparison with computed tomography angiography (CTA). Patients and methods: A consecutive series of 23 patients with Moyamoya disease were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty three patients underwent 25 procedures of extracranial-intracranial bypass. Cranial CTA was performed within one week after the surgery to assess bypass patency. Then TOF MRA was scanned within 24 h after CTA on a 3T MRI system. Using 5-point scales (0 = poor to 4 = excellent), two radiologists rated the image quality and vessel integrity of bypass for three segments (extracranial, trepanation, intracranial). Results: Image quality was high in both CTA and TOF MRA (mean quality score 3.84 ± 0.37 and 3.8 ± 0.41), without statistical difference (p = 0.66). Mean scores of TOF MRA with respect to bypass visualization were higher than CTA in the intracranial segment (p = 0.026). No significant difference of bypass visualization regarding the extracranial and trepanation segments was found between TOF MRA and CTA (p = 0.66 and p = 0.34, respectively). For the trepanation segment, TOF MRA showed pseudo lesions in 2 of all 25 cases. Conclusions: 3T TOF MRA, a non-contrast technique not exposing the patients to radiation, proved to be at least equal to CTA for the assessment of EC-IC bypass, and even superior to CTA with respect to the intracranial segment. In addition, readers should be aware of a potential overestimation showing focal pseudo lesions of the bypass at the trepanation segment in TOF MRA.


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