LAUSR

Real-time processing of digitally acquired data dates back to at least the 1980s [1], but decades later, most data processing still takes place long after acquisition, on a separate computer. Implementing realtime processing is especially important for in-situ experiments, in which the next experimental step at the microscope is often determined by dynamic changes observed in the sample. Though a skilled operator can be incredibly good at picking up subtle changes in complex images, Gatan’s latest in-situ cameras store more frames to disk than can be displayed even with high-end video cards. When using the fastest data collection rates, it is not possible for the experimentalist to monitor every acquired image. Although simple processing, like live FFTs can be used for analyzing data in real-time, only the subset of the acquired frames that are displayed on the computer screen are actually analyzed at the microscope.