Software Manual Section 26

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Image Acquisition
	Introduction For secondary ion image acquisition, the control over the instrument is turned over to the Silicon Graphics computer. The Image Acquisition program acts as an intermediary with only limited direct user interaction. Its main function is to pass commands and responses back and forth between the Silicon Graphics computer and the 3f instrument.
	Image Acquisition Analysis As can be seen from the side menu bar, the image acquisition program has the status of an 'analysis' (as opposed to 'control'; see section 2 for more explanations). This means it cannot be run in parallel with any other analyses, but simple controls -like Main- can be used at the same time.
	Silicon Graphics Computer Once the image acquisition program is started, the control over the instrument is turned over to the UNIX box. Some programs there can then send commands to the ionprobe via a GPIB connection. (Make sure, the GPIB connection cable is properly installed.) To test the connection, try running 'gpsend' on the silicon graphics computer. That program can send individual commands through the GPIB link.
	Mass and B-Field The current settings for mass and B-field are constantly displayed here. The values change when the UNIX box wants it so or when the magnetic field is changed with the manual button on the 3f.
	Count Time For some reason, the UNIX box sends the count time for the EM separate from the actual counting command. Thus, the current count time is buffered here.
	Analysis Record Along wth the image acquisition window, the analysis record window pops up. As ususal, it gives information about the last few actions taken. In this case, it also shows the exact time a command was issued from the UNIX box. Due to the nature of this connection, there is obviously no information about what steps might come next. This part of the analysis record window is therefore blank. It is possible to use the remote control function to watch the progress of an analysis.
	Stop Image Clicking here will close the connection to the Silicon Graphics computer and return the instrument control back to the NT computer.

FJ Stadermann	Back to Top	Next Section