Q: What distinguishes an in-situ (IS) camera and the standard version?

In-situ cameras include the following: Advanced recording capabilities: Equipped with specialized software that allows for uninterrupted, high-quality recording of in-situ video datasets. This means you can capture data at the camera’s maximum resolution, bit depth, and frame rate without compromise. Event capture with Lookback™: Enables users to retroactively capture unexpected or transient events, ensuring that critical moments are never missed. Comprehensive data tools: Come with complimentary tools for playback, processing, and exporting recorded data in a variety of formats, streamlining post-acquisition workflows and enhancing data accessibility. These enhancements make in-situ cameras particularly valuable for researchers who require robust, flexible, and reliable data acquisition and management during in-situ experiments.

Q: What types of data can be captured continuously?

Gatan in-situ (IS) cameras: Enable continuous recording of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffraction video datasets. When paired with DigiScan™ , STEMx ® , and STEMx IS, these cameras support uninterrupted in-situ 4D STEM acquisition. DigiScan 3: Continuously records STEM video datasets, ensuring high-quality data capture for advanced microscopy workflows. GIF Continuum IS : Expands capabilities to capture in-situ electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) or in-situ EELS spectrum images, allowing the generation of time-resolved maps. All these data types are recorded at uncompromised quality and can be played back using the complimentary In-Situ Player. Additionally, data from select in-situ holders can be automatically recorded and synchronized with these datasets, streamlining post-acquisition analysis and integration.

Q: Is a new PC always required to upgrade a Gatan camera with an in-situ upgrade?

Yes, for most models: Upgrading the ClearView ® , Rio ® , OneView ® , and GIF Continuum ® cameras to support in-situ capabilities requires a new, more powerful computer. Exceptions: Metro ® , Stela ® , and K3 ® cameras do not require a new computer. Metro and Stela are always in-situ capable and do not need an in-situ upgrade.

Q: Is it possible to trigger in-situ camera acquisition to synchronize with lasers, biasing, or other stimuli?

Precise frame-level synchronization: Gatan cameras can provide a synchronization pulse for exact timing, such as syncing STEM scans with camera frames during 4D STEM acquisition. This pulse is available from the HS shutter output of the MIB. Sub-second synchronization: For synchronization within fractions of a second, scripting can trigger the start and stop of in-situ recording or single captures.

Q: How much does the offline processing software for in-situ datasets cost?

It’s completely free. The In-Situ Player and In-Situ Editor have always been available at no cost. Tools for processing in-situ EELS and 4D STEM data are included in the offline analytical software. You can download the latest complimentary software .

Q: Do you provide live drift correction?

Yes, live drift correction is available for in-situ EELS/EDS spectrum imaging and in-situ 4D STEM acquisitions. Live drift correction is also available for single TEM images captured with Metro, Rio, and ClearView cameras. Currently, live drift correction is not available for in-situ TEM or STEM video acquisition.

Q: What holders does DigitalMicrograph software support?

Heating and cooling holders: DigitalMicrograph can control heating and cooling holders connected to the Gatan PC via a model 1905 temperature controller (which has a touchscreen interface). DENSsolutions holders: Temperature control is supported for DENSsolutions holders connected to the Gatan PC via USB. Protochips and DENSsolutions data integration: DigitalMicrograph can integrate holder data from Protochips holders controlled via Axon software, and from DENSsolutions holders managed through Impulse software. Compatibility with new holders from Protochips and DENSsolutions cannot be guaranteed.

Question 1

What distinguishes an in-situ (IS) camera and the standard version?

Accepted Answer

In-situ cameras include the following:

Advanced recording capabilities: Equipped with specialized software that allows for uninterrupted, high-quality recording of in-situ video datasets. This means you can capture data at the camera’s maximum resolution, bit depth, and frame rate without compromise.
Event capture with Lookback™: Enables users to retroactively capture unexpected or transient events, ensuring that critical moments are never missed.
Comprehensive data tools: Come with complimentary tools for playback, processing, and exporting recorded data in a variety of formats, streamlining post-acquisition workflows and enhancing data accessibility.

These enhancements make in-situ cameras particularly valuable for researchers who require robust, flexible, and reliable data acquisition and management during in-situ experiments.

Question 2

What types of data can be captured continuously?

Accepted Answer

Gatan in-situ (IS) cameras: Enable continuous recording of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffraction video datasets. When paired with DigiScan™, STEMx^®, and STEMx IS, these cameras support uninterrupted in-situ 4D STEM acquisition.
DigiScan 3: Continuously records STEM video datasets, ensuring high-quality data capture for advanced microscopy workflows.
GIF Continuum IS: Expands capabilities to capture in-situ electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) or in-situ EELS spectrum images, allowing the generation of time-resolved maps.

All these data types are recorded at uncompromised quality and can be played back using the complimentary In-Situ Player. Additionally, data from select in-situ holders can be automatically recorded and synchronized with these datasets, streamlining post-acquisition analysis and integration.

Question 3

Is a new PC always required to upgrade a Gatan camera with an in-situ upgrade?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for most models: Upgrading the ClearView^®, Rio^®, OneView^®, and GIF Continuum^® cameras to support in-situ capabilities requires a new, more powerful computer.
Exceptions: Metro^®, Stela^®, and K3^® cameras do not require a new computer. Metro and Stela are always in-situ capable and do not need an in-situ upgrade.

Question 4

Can I use Python to automate in-situ acquisitions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many acquisition types and microscope controls can be automated directly using Python.
For more complex operations, “hybrid” scripts are used: small DM script segments interface with Gatan hardware, while Python manages logic, data processing, and coordination with other hardware. This approach enables advanced automation and integration across diverse hardware setups.

Question 5

Is it possible to trigger in-situ camera acquisition to synchronize with lasers, biasing, or other stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Precise frame-level synchronization: Gatan cameras can provide a synchronization pulse for exact timing, such as syncing STEM scans with camera frames during 4D STEM acquisition. This pulse is available from the HS shutter output of the MIB.
Sub-second synchronization: For synchronization within fractions of a second, scripting can trigger the start and stop of in-situ recording or single captures.

Question 6

How much does the offline processing software for in-situ datasets cost?

Accepted Answer

It’s completely free. The In-Situ Player and In-Situ Editor have always been available at no cost. Tools for processing in-situ EELS and 4D STEM data are included in the offline analytical software.
You can download the latest complimentary software.

Question 7

Can I process in-situ camera data in real time as it is captured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can process a subset of frames in real time using the Live View window in DigitalMicrograph, enabling immediate analysis and feedback during acquisition. Example Python scripts are available in this application note: Extensible real-time data processing with Python in DigitalMicrograph, which demonstrate how to implement real-time data processing capabilities.

Question 8

Do you provide live drift correction?

Accepted Answer

Yes, live drift correction is available for in-situ EELS/EDS spectrum imaging and in-situ 4D STEM acquisitions.
Live drift correction is also available for single TEM images captured with Metro, Rio, and ClearView cameras.
Currently, live drift correction is not available for in-situ TEM or STEM video acquisition.

Question 9

What holders does DigitalMicrograph software support?

Accepted Answer

Heating and cooling holders: DigitalMicrograph can control heating and cooling holders connected to the Gatan PC via a model 1905 temperature controller (which has a touchscreen interface).
DENSsolutions holders: Temperature control is supported for DENSsolutions holders connected to the Gatan PC via USB.
Protochips and DENSsolutions data integration: DigitalMicrograph can integrate holder data from Protochips holders controlled via Axon software, and from DENSsolutions holders managed through Impulse software. Compatibility with new holders from Protochips and DENSsolutions cannot be guaranteed.

In-situ FAQs