Latest version changes for Probe for EPMA (and CalcImage) v. 14.2.8

[Probeman]

Interestingly enough John.... It happened the other way around. All the EIKS files WERE copied across and none of the others were........... I had to move the .dat ones manually.
Odd...very odd.......

Odd is an understatement!

Note that the ProbeForEPMA.msi installer will install *default* EIKS files to the new PIE app folder, but one is still required to overwrite the default JeolEIKS.ini file with your site specific file from the old PIE app folder.
John

[John Donovan]

The latest version of Probe for EPMA (11.1.7) now has the image shift get/set functions in micron units:



This has already been the case for Cameca and JEOL 8230/8530 instruments and this change for 8900/8200/8500 instruments has an important implication which I hope to reveal before the end of the year...   

[John Donovan]

The multi point background (MPB) dialog graphics have been updated:

[John Donovan]

New (multi-standard) Calibration Curve dialog graphics:

[Karsten Goemann]

Nice! It's great that the standard numbers aren't on top of each other anymore.

[Ben Buse]

Hi John,

I've noticed that since you've upgraded the wavescans and PHA scans to the new graphics (which do look nice) - that when I run through automate - peak and PHA voltage scan after peak - that the PHA scan running for several spectrometers simultaneously is now much slower - its taking 5 minutes to run - with each voltage point taking a long time to acquire. Previously it was just as quick as running them through the PHA menu.

Thanks

Ben

[John Donovan]

I've noticed that since you've upgraded the wavescans and PHA scans to the new graphics (which do look nice) - that when I run through automate - peak and PHA voltage scan after peak - that the PHA scan running for several spectrometers simultaneously is now much slower - its taking 5 minutes to run - with each voltage point taking a long time to acquire. Previously it was just as quick as running them through the PHA menu.

Hi Ben,
Actually I think you might be correct!  But for the wrong reason-  It's got nothing to do with the new graphics and a lot to do with a counting bug that was introduced about 3 months ago in the acquire PHA code.

I found a bug in the count wait code that was returning immediately after the first call even if the specified time hadn't been completed.

The new code fixes that bug and makes sure that you get the full acquisition time specified.  If you want to speed things up, just reduce your PHA count time per interval- or reduce the number of PHA intervals.
john

Edit by John: But on thinking a bit more about it, I think I see a better way to parallelize this PHA acquisition.  I'm working at Probe Software today, so please give me a few hours to look into it...

[John Donovan]

New TDI and Alternating bgd data display dialog graphics:

[John Donovan]

I've noticed that since you've upgraded the wavescans and PHA scans to the new graphics (which do look nice) - that when I run through automate - peak and PHA voltage scan after peak - that the PHA scan running for several spectrometers simultaneously is now much slower - its taking 5 minutes to run - with each voltage point taking a long time to acquire. Previously it was just as quick as running them through the PHA menu.

Hi Ben,
Ok, I modified the PHA acquisition code so all the spectrometers work in parallel now, which greatly speeds up the PHA acquisition. 

I didn't notice the problem because on the Cameca we always use the MCA PHA acquisition mode which is super fast compared to the traditional method- though the MCA method is slightly less spectral resolution than the traditional PHA acquisition method by scanning the baseline and window values.

Thanks for catching this!   You can download the latest PFE now.
john

[John Donovan]

New PHA graphics in the PHA acquire dialog:

[John Donovan]

Here's an example of TDI data plotted with the absorbed current option (from Mike Jercinovic, U Mass):



By the way, I have always been intrigued by the sinusoidal variation in the x-ray intensities in some materials.  Also, remember this?

https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=144.msg605#msg605

[John Donovan]

Some examples of the new Pro Essentials graphics in Standard and Evaluate (see attached images below- remember you need to be logged in to see attachments!).

[John Donovan]

I am very pleased to announce that Gareth Seward and I have completed the conversion of all the old graphics calls to the new Pro Essentials graphics calls in CalcZAF, Probe for EPMA and all associated apps.  And it only took three months of blood, sweat and tears!   

Anyway, here are some links and a few examples of the latest graphics conversions attached below...

[Probeman]

Please note the improved graphics for overlaying wavescan data over the MultiPoint Background intensities as seen here:



Let me know what you all think.

[BenjaminWade]

Hi John
Really like the new graphics, they look snazzy. I also like that the sample numbers don't sit on each other in the MAN box. Is there a reason I can't zoom in on areas with the mouse click/drag box on the MAN review window now? I can still do this on the Plot window fine, just don't seem to be able to do it in the MAN box...

cheers