Essential Image Processing for Magnetic-Resonance Force Microscopy

Phase I R&D demonstrated feasibility and usefulness of the Pixon-method image reconstruction algorithm for a restricted class of MRFM images. The technical objectives of Phase II research are (1) to optimize data acquisition strategies and reconstructionmethods for general images, (2) to incorporate into the reconstruction regimen provisions for correction of systematic error in specification of the MRFM point-response function and sample-probe spatial registration, and (3) to incorporate provision forparametric compensation of peripheral magnetization interrogated by the MRFM probe. Three products will be developed, each building systematically and incrementally upon its successor: (1) A software package for deconvolution optical microscopy, (2) apackage for deconvolution of 2D and potentially 3D magnetic-force microscope images, and (3) a package for deconvolution of MRFM data. Anticipated Benefits: Phase II development will formalize and complete initial investigations and demonstrations fromPhase I. In particular, Phase I work helped illuminate the complex relationships between MRFM instrumentation, data acquisition, software image deconvolution, and the design of commercial products. Phase II work will maintain a fixed focus on thetransformation of actual MRFM measurements to useful magnetic images and thus directly address many of the outstanding data analysis challenges that face development of practical MRFM imaging. For its success, commercialization of MRFM is just as dependentupon the development of robust image processing technology as it is upon development of the instrumental and signal-processing hardware itself.Commercial Applications: The organizing principle of products resulting from Phase II R&D is General Three-Dimensional Image Deconvolution. The commercialization strategy has been conceived in terms of concrete near-term, mid-term, and far-termobjectives, each building systematically and incrementally upon its successor: (1) Three-dimensional optical microscopy based on image deconvolution is already commercially viable with many firms competing for business. Initial Phase II work will includedevelopment of a stand-alone software package that offers significant performance enhancements in deconvolution optical microscopy. (2) Image deconvolution in conventional scanned probe microscopy has yet to be demonstrated despite the potential forsignificant scientific benefit. In the mid term, demonstration within Phase II of effective 2D and potentially 3D image deconvolution in conventional magnetic-force microscopy offers access to the existing installed base of MFM instruments. A secondproduct of this Phase II effort will be a stand-alone package for 2D and 3D MFM image deconvolution. (3) Development of the previous products will prove invaluable in advancing MRFM to the market place. The final development step of Phase II work will be astand-alone package for 2D and 3D image deconvolution that ultimately will be integrated with MRFM instrumentation as the hardware technology matures.