Using Origin for Visualization and Data Analysis of a Breakthrough Technology

The following case study was submitted by Japanese Origin distributor LightStone Corporation. Lightstone has provided sales and support for the Japanese-language version of Origin, for nearly twenty years. We thank them kindly for giving permission to publish this case study on our website.

Introduction

Photo electron Soul Inc., which started their business in July 2015, is developing the photocathode electron beam technology. Photocathode technology has been developed mainly at Nagoya University in Japan for more than 30 years. Photo electron Soul Inc.’s latest and specialized technology advances the electron beam system which can be embedded as a core device, in a wide range of industrial equipment such as electron microscopes, semiconductor manufacturing/testing equipment, and metal 3D printer.

This makes possible the microstructural observation, microfabrication, and high throughput that have not been possible with traditional approaches. This breakthrough technology can be used in a wide variety of applications such as the analysis of fragile material (by taking a picture with a single beam on a millisecond time scale), dynamic observation of nano-sized material (such as for the electron microscope), and 3D structural analysis proteins (using cryo-electron microscopy).

High-Tech Development Demands Software with Wide-ranging Features

L (LightStone): How did you decide to use Origin in your company?

P (Photo electron Soul): Many of our team members were already familiar with Origin because they used it when they were still students. But, it is not the sole reason of our choice of this graphing software. We rigorously evaluated and compared it with many other packages before committing.

We made the final decision to choose Origin because of its many desirable features, such as its curve fitting tool, and also because we were thinking in terms of usability and functionality over the long run. One of the things that we liked most was that Origin can easily perform various advanced analyses with its point-and-click user interface without the need for programming.

L: Which kind of graphs do you make in your actual work?

P: To generate the desired beam, we measure environmental data such as the degree of vacuum. Also, we have characterization data of the laser beam which was irradiated to the cathode. In either case, we create various forms of graphs like line plots or scatter plots, to visualize the data from our devices.

L: How about after deploying Origin in your company?

P: Although we haven’t tried all features of Origin, it really saves our time when making graphs and analyzing data, as compared with commonly used spreadsheet programs. As some of our employees previously worked at general offices in other companies, it is unfortunate but understandable that they were allowed to use only spreadsheets in their work. So, I advise your sales team to press harder about the benefits of Origin to potential customers so that the decision of purchasing an Origin license may become much easier for the purchasing department of the company. Consequently it will make both the seller and its customers happier (laughs).

Building a Highly Controllable Electron Beam

L: What is the most notable difference between your company’s electron beam and conventional beams?

P: Our electron beam system is extremely easy to operate, but at the same time low cost thanks to technology which simply irradiates the laser beam to the semiconductor cathode. It has successfully achieved both low energy dispersion and high current – in other words, our system produces a sharp and powerful beam.

L: Then, it sounds quite easy to embed in a variety of equipment, right?

P: Yes, you are right. Our technology makes it possible to observe or manipulate finer materials, and even expands the applicable areas to the most advanced technologies which have never been possible before with the conventional electron beam systems.

L:Are you satisified with the quality of the technical support for Origin?

P: As we have only once contacted your technical support service for a minor issue how to obtain the license, we so far don’t have much to say about it. But, we will take its advantage as long as it’s free of charge.

L: Yes, please contact us anytime when you need a technical support. Thank you very much for explaining us your fascinating technology today.