Journal of Electron Microscopy 51:S253-S257 (2002)
© 2002 Oxford University Press
Full-length paper |
Design of a remote operation system for trans-Pacific microscopy via international advanced networks
1Research Center for Ultra-high Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, 2-1, Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan,
2Cybermedia Center, Osaka University, 5-1, Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan and
3National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research and the San Diego Supercomputer Center University of California, San Diego 92093-0608, La Jolla, California, USA
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: yoshida{at}uhvem.osaka-u.ac.jp
A new remote operation system for a 3 MV ultrahigh voltage electron microscope has been developed. In a remote laboratory, control signals are generated by using a portable operation console with toggle and button switches similar to those on the main console. Foot pedals for specimen tilting are also attached to the console. Almost all functions essential to operate the microscope from remote sites are available on the portable operation console, and status panels at the remote site are updated to reflect the changes in setting of the distant microscope. Transmission of control signals and communication with the microscope is accomplished via advanced Internet resources. The same network resources are used to transmit standard TV (US National Television System Committee) video images from the microscope. Since the advanced Internet connection employed here provides a persistent link, the present system allows researchers to conduct international collaborative experiments with the 3 MV microscope on a regular basis.
Keywords remote operation, advanced Internet connection, UHVEM, electron tomography