Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Measurement of Scattering Nonlinearities from a Single Plasmonic Nanoparticle
Published on: January 3, 2016
Contrast-to-gradient method for the evaluation of image resolution taking account of random noise in scanning
1Naka Division, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, 882 Ichige, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki-ken 312-8504, Japan. ishitani-tohru@naka.hitachi-hitec.com
Abstract:
We have taken random image noise into consideration in the contrast-to-gradient (CG) method for the evaluation of image resolution R in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When looking at the local fine pattern in the SEM micrograph containing much random noise, viewers gradually expand the region of interest (ROI) to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and to recognize the pattern. We employed this approach in the CG algorithm to evaluate potential resolution Rpot, which is defined as the minimal/most accurate CG resolution calculated in the ROI expanding process. The image noise or SNR also is evaluated by the parameter deltaR / R, where deltaR is a standard deviation of R. The Rpot values depending on SNR are useful for comparison among images containing different random noise.
Related Concept Videos
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Overview of Electron Microscopy
Super-resolution Fluorescence Microscopy
Overview of Microscopy Techniques
NMR Spectrometers: Resolution and Error Correction
Transmission Electron Microscopy

