STEM_CELL: A software tool for electron microscopy. Part 2 analysis of crystalline materials

A new graphical software (STEM_CELL) for analysis of HRTEM and STEM-HAADF images is here introduced in detail. The advantage of the software, beyond its graphic interface, is to put together different analysis algorithms and simulation (described in an associated article) to produce novel analysis methodologies. Different implementations and improvements to state of the art approach are reported in the image analysis, filtering, normalization, background subtraction. In particular two important methodological results are here highlighted: (i) the definition of a procedure for atomic scale quantitative analysis of HAADF images, (ii) the extension of geometric phase analysis to large regions up to potentially 1 μm through the use of under sampled images with aliasing effects.

► STEM_CELL is a new software for microscopy analysis.
► Improved algorithms for image analysis are demonstrated.
► A new GPA method permits to study strain on large scale.
► New protocols for quantitative analysis of HAADF images.
► Abel transform 3D analysis of composition in Quantum Dots.