We are pleased to announce an additional resource for users of our Probe Software EPMA applications: the new Probe Software YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
This channel is for hosting short (~10 min) tutorial videos produced by some of our installation and training consultants, currently by Mike Matthews and Scott Boroughs:
https://www.probesoftware.com/training-support/
These videos are intended to supplement our on-site and/or remote training, but can also be used for training new users of your instrument. The videos include tutorials on our EPMA software configuration, acquisition, automation and quantitative analysis. An extra benefit to hosting these videos on YouTube is that we get automatic closed captioning and this can be auto-translated "on the fly" as seen here:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_06_11_23_1_55_55.png)
To turn this on, click the Settings icon below the video, click SubTitles, then turn on captioning, then click the Auto-translate option and select your local language.
We've only got 11 videos currently up on the channel, but plan on expanding these over time. Feel free to request specific topics or methods that you would like to have video tutorials on. And please feel free to add questions or comments in the YouTube video comments. We've also added a link to the Probe Software YouTube channel from the Probe for EPMA Help menu as shown here:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_06_11_23_1_55_26.png)
And (of course), please subscribe to the Probe Software YouTube channel by clicking the Subscribe button so you will be notified when new video tutorials are released and feel free to upvote any videos you find to be useful and/or informative.
Some of you may have noticed that many of these tutorial videos are performed in Probe for EPMA "demo" or "simulation" mode. In fact the latest video we uploaded to YouTube yesterday, I thought was a very good demonstration of how to automate standard acquisition and check secondary standards for accuracy- all without an actual instrument!
You know, when I first implemented this "demo" or "simulation" mode in Probe for EPMA I did it just for software testing purposes when developing it at home. Because, for some reason that escapes me now, I don't have an EPMA instrument in the basement! 🙂
But over time, partly because my lab manager Julie Chouinard kept asking for more realistic simulations, since she uses the software in simulation mode to teach EPMA in her microanalysis class at the university, I kept improving this simulation mode. Basically she has every student install the software on their laptops for learning theory and practice of EPMA in her class (remember, every site that purchases Probe for EPMA for their EPMA instrument, can install the software on all student/user computers):
https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?board=28.0
Nowadays one can get quite realistic looking data for WDS and EDS spectra (based on Penepma calculations) and even wavescans look pretty darn real, especially if one uses the "polygonization" option:
https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=40.msg10357#msg10357
https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=837.msg10100#msg10100
Who needs an actual instrument! 😂
Links in our YouTube video descriptions are now *live*:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_11_11_23_9_07_38.png)
These links provide additional information from published papers to topics in our EPMA User Forum.
And if you can think of additional links that should be included in any of our video descriptions, please reply here.
Also please feel free to suggest additional topics for video tutorials for our Probe Software YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
And please subscribe to the channel and upvote any videos you found helpful...
We just added three new video tutorials on our YouTube channel by Scott Boroughs and Mike Matthews:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
The topic include quantification of X-Ray maps and thin film analysis. Please check them out and subscribe to the channel and upvote any videos you found useful for yourself or your students and/or co-workers.
We just uploaded a new video from Mike Matthews on using multiple sample setups and/or combined condition samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvIl9R73BA&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
What video tutorial topics would you like to see?
We are at 12 subscribers in our YouTube channel with a good number of views already:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
Here is an incomplete list of some more ideas for video tutorials:
- Commonly used functions available in Acquisitions Options
- Using PFE for instrument specification testing (e.g. beam stability, stage reproducibility, etc like in my post on the forums)
- Exporting data to Excel (short)
Using specified concentrations- Evaluating wavescans (check KLM lines and absorption edges, Model Backgrounds)
Imaging and export (short) Calculation options in Analyze! (short)- Calibrating dead times and the picoammeter using the constant k-ratio method
- Checking k-ratio agreement between spectrometers using simultaneous k-ratios
- Applying different background models to off-peak elements using fitting methods in the Plot! window
Using TDI correction methods for points (and a separate video for quant maps)- Using empirical APF factors for light elements
- Using the blank correction method in PFE
- Interpreting detection limits and analytical sensitivity calculations
Plotting standard and unknown concentrations (Output menu)- Creating presentation quality output for quant maps using CalcImage and Surfer
- Using PictureSnapApp for sample navigation including sample location to other instruments (SEMs, ICP-MS, SIMs, etc.)
- Using the image annotation and Image Locator features in PictureSnapApp
- Using the PENEPMA and PENFLUOR calculations in the Standard application
- Calibrating beam and stage scans
- Setting up PFE on an off-line computer for data reprocessing or on a laptop or other computers in simulation mode for teaching
- Using the File | Export Configuration menu (and transferring the standard.mdb file from the on-line computer)
Is there a topic that you would like to see a video tutorial on next?
Please subscribe to our Probe Software YouTube channel if you haven't already, and please also feel free to suggest additional topics for more tutorial videos.
We just uploaded a new video tutorial from Mike Matthews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZc1Ey3V0ms&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
Our Probe Software YouTube is getting a few more subscribers and views:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_13_01_24_7_37_28.png)
Is there a specific topic that you would like to see a video tutorial on?
Our most recent webinar by Anette von der Handt and Julien Allaz is now available on our Probe Software YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiEXorRfJpg&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
Details as follows:
This webinar will consist of two 40 minute talks as follows:
9 am - 9:40 am PST: First steps in acquiring high precision, high accuracy EPMA data using Probe for EPMA by Dr. Anette von der Handt
Ten-minute break
9:50 am – 10:30 am PST: Versatility in bremsstrahlung ("background") correction: Off-peak, vs. Mean Atomic Number, vs. Multi-point background corrections by Dr. Julien Allaz
I've attached the PowerPoint slides that Anette von der Handt and Julien Allaz used in their Probe Software webinar earlier this month (you need to be logged into the forum to see attachments).
The webinar is on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiEXorRfJpg&t=138s&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
Here are the video rankings (unique views) for our YouTube channel:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_07_02_24_9_42_30.png)
By far the most watched video is also the longest, and that is our last applications webinar last month. This video can be seen using this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiEXorRfJpg&t=198s&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
We've uploaded our latest Probe Software applications webinar (March 13, 2024) to our YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QruFEELTUAk&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
Please feel free to watch and make comments and suggestions on YouTube (upvotes are welcome! :) ).
We've also attached pdfs of both Anette's and my PowerPoint presentations (see below and remember to log in to the forum to see attachments!).
We just added 5 videos from the Athens 2024 EPMA Workshop of the presentations by Anette von der Handt and myself to our Probe Software YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
Enjoy and be sure to post any questions you might have on the YouTube comments. We will be happy to answer them.
We're pleased to point out that we now have over 1000 views on the Probe Software YouTube channel:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_09_05_24_11_02_19.png)
Of course, that's nothing compared to a channel such as Veritasium (https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium (https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium)) which has millions of views, but for a very esoteric topic such as EPMA, it's not too bad!
Anyway, if you are interested in some short video tutorials on our software features and methods, in addition to our extended length webinars, they are all available here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
We're getting quite a lot of views on our Probe Software YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
Also, be sure to update your Probe for EPMA software so you and your users can take advantage of the new button links to specific video tutorials in the Basic EPMA window:
https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=1267.msg12714#msg12714
In the mean time we're looking for suggestions for more video tutorials on our Probe Software applications. Here's a list of possible ideas:
Commonly used functions available in Acquisitions Options
Using PFE for instrument specification testing (e.g. beam stability, stage reproducibility, etc.)
Using calculation options to include unanalyzed elements in the matrix correction
Calibrating dead times and the picoammeter using the constant k-ratio method
Checking k-ratio agreement between spectrometers using simultaneous k-ratios
Applying different background models to off-peak elements using fitting methods in the Plot! window
Using TDI correction methods for points (and a separate video for TDI quant maps)
Using empirical APF factors for light elements
Using the blank correction method in PFE
Interpreting detection limits and analytical sensitivity calculations
Creating presentation quality output for quant maps using CalcImage and Surfer
Using the PENEPMA and PENFLUOR calculations in the Standard application
Calibrating beam and stage scans
Setting up PFE on an off-line computer for data reprocessing or on a laptop or other computers in simulation mode for teaching
Any other ideas for more videos?
FYI we just uploaded a new video tutorial on using the TDI acquisition and quantification in Probe for EPMA for beam sensitive samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmikwXCy5LA&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
from Scott Boroughs.
Over 1800 views on our YouTube channel videos:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_03_09_24_8_05_17.png)
Are you interested in making a YouTube video for us on EPMA topics? We can compensate you for your time and expertise. Please contact us at Probe Software for more details.
Over 2000 views now on our YouTube channel:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_13_10_24_1_03_59.png)
The Probe Software YouTube channel is now up to 2,500 views:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_29_01_25_9_50_35.png)
Lots of excellent webinars and video tutorials by our expert consultants: Scott Boroughs, Mike Matthews and Anette von der Handt on our Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
If you would like to create a video tutorial for Probe Software, please contact us directly by email.
Our Probe Software YouTube channel is now at over 3000 views and 102 subscribers:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_29_04_25_5_53_26.png)
The most popular videos have been:
#1 Anette von der Handt's tutorial on Sample Preparation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQ6rlCVLy8&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
#2 John Donovan's webinar on Modeling and Correction of Secondary Fluorescence Artifacts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxX3sHvIpp0&t=3s&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
#3 Mike Matthews tutorial on Sample Setups in Probe for EPMA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6thdiDeq3sM&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
#4 Mike Matthews tutorial on Using Fiducial Calibrations for Point Positions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbaZfnQADzk&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
#5 Mike Matthews again on Entering Standard Compositions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHhr0Zc4Bbo&ab_channel=ProbeSoftwareInc
See all 34 of our webinars and tutorial videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
We now have over 4000 views on our YouTube channel:
(https://smf.probesoftware.com/gallery/1_30_10_25_4_44_59.png)
https://www.youtube.com/@ProbeSoftware
New video tutorial from Scott Boroughs on using the constant k-ratio method in Probe for EPMA to calibrate your dead time constants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLjEXOw-Fs
Note: to take full advantage of this dead time calibration you'll want to utilize the new logarithmic dead time correction equation in Probe for EPMA to get quantitative results all the way up to 300K to 400K cps count rates:
https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=1466.msg13255#msg13255