Mission
Develop a software for FIB operation simulator which can provide functions as education and training platform. This virtual operation software can decrease the insanely-high training cost of DB-FIB and thus benefit both academy and industry.
My contribution
Idea proposer and team leader
Current Status
- Looking for software developers
- A complete software requirement specification as development guideline is done, which lists and describes all DB-FIB functions in a programmable way
Dual-beam focused ion beam (DB-FIB) is an essential nano-analysis instrument in both industry and academy due to its irreplaceable micro-machining and micro-manipulating capability, especially when electronic devices have been scaling down to an astonishing size nowadays. However, operation of DB-FIB highly relies on experience, and therefore training of DB-FIB requires massive time and effort for both trainers and trainees, plus heavy financial burden due to its costly maintenance fee. To this end, I propose a FIB GENIOUS solution: an operating simulation software which can simulate DB-FIB functions and user interface, like an aviation training software for pilots. The brand-new FIB GENIOUS idea can benefit all aspects of DB-FIB:
For user
- A practice tool
- Develop new FIB technique
For supervisor
- Evaluate user
- Reduce training cost
For manufacturer
- Release beam time
- Develop high-risk technique
To realize this idea, one crucial factor is how to reproduce DB-FIB’s every effects in software. Thanks to the fact that I’m one of the best FIB user on the planet (no joking) and have programming knowledge, I’m confident being able to describe all dominant mechanism, from ion optics, ion-sample interaction, to software interface, in a programmable way. At present, a 80-page document of software requirement specification has been done, and the FIB GENIUS project is seeking for software developers for cooperation.
Lan-Hsuan Lee 