CuView software: teaching transmission electron microscopy

We propose to develop an educational software, called CuView, for teaching Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging and electron diffraction. CuView will be integrated in the existing courses on electron microscopy at ETH. The software design presents a user-friendly interface that guides the learner flawlessly along the image simulation process through the steps of defining the sample, and acquiring and analysing the images or diffraction patterns one obtains in TEM. At every step, the learners have direct access to all imaging parameters and conditions, which they can explore in a user-friendly graphical interface. Additionally, the proposed software will integrate educational tools such as hints on the choice of parameters, explanations in case of wrong inputs and quizzes along the simulation route. The innovative strategy in the software design makes CuView a tool of choice in TEM for early beginners (bachelor, Master students) as well as for advanced researchers (PhD students, senior scientists).

• Completion of the web graphical user interface, available across ETH domain
• Completion of the education tools, including a quiz for evaluation
• Embedding in electron miroscopy courses existing at ETH

New software for transmission electron microscopy for teaching and support for beginners as well as for advanced/senior researchers, comprising an innovative strategy in the code assembling that allows easy integration of existing codes.

This software could be expanded to (1) include more TEM techniques, such as STEM, CBED, LACBED, HR-TEM, STEM, Lorentz and holography imaging, and (2) include a more universal data management that would allow storage and sharing of data among students and users with a discussion platform.

Easy to use, this software allows to get to transmission electron microscopy operation with a comprehensive understanding of the image formation mechanisms thank to the TEM simulator based on real images. Besides, it is a toolbox that contains all necessary tools for the beginner to simulate the TEM diffraction of crystals and the TEM image of simple defects.

• Ex cathedra presentation to students, guiding them through the different steps to form a TEM image or diffraction.
• Student each having access to the web (with their laptop or on classroom PCs) working with their own data individually or in group
• Use the in-built quizz for evaluation of self-evaluation