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Acquiring a Mosaic with Image Shift
Note: The term Mosaic and Montage are used interchangeably. Both mean
and refer to the same concept.
There are two options for taking mosaics, using the image shift deflector coils on the microscope
or to use the motor/piezo stage movements to acquire images that exceed the image size of your camera.
There are pro and cons to using each. Using Image shifts to perform mosaicing will limit you to typically
a 3x3 or 5x5 depending on the magnification you are at. Higher magnifications such as 20K and above
will allow you to do larger sized mosaics using the image shifts. Though using the image shift deflector
coils limits your ability for taking very large mosaics, they are very accurate and consistent in terms
of overlapping and stitching the data. Using the stage to take mosaic data will allow you to do extremely
large mosaics, but may not turn out to stitch very well depending on the stage system you are using.
This is something the user will have to decide works out best.
To start a mosaic
Click on "File" then "New Montage":
Here you are presented with a menu for setting up your montage or mosaic. You will
always want to test it out and try it with smaller sizes before trying anything large. If you are on
the JEOL 4000s I reccomend trying a 2x2 or 3x3 first to see how well it will work for you. Once you have
set the appropriate number of pieces you also have the option of setting the pixel overlap. Typically
the defaults are sufficient enough. Once you have clicked "Ok" and selected a file to save your
data, then you are set to start taking your data.
Taking Mosaic Data
You will want to use the floating panel below to acquire your data:
There are two options to select. Either the "Start" button or the "PreScan" button
to begin. The "Prescan" option should use the settings in your Trial parameter, while
the "Start" option typically uses the settings in your "Record" settings.
Using the prescan is what you want to use first before using the "Start" option.
This allows you to take a "quick and dirty" montage before taking the longer exposure one
at bin setting 1x. Once you are happy with the location using the "Prescan", then
you can click on the "Start" option to acquire the full resolution version of your mosaic.