New Reconstruction Algorithms Increase Throughput with Improved Image Quality

ZEISS introduces the Advanced Reconstruction Toolbox for its industry-leading ZEISS Xradia 3D X-ray microscope and computed tomography systems. With the Toolbox, two modules are announced: an upgraded ZEISS OptiRecon for iterative reconstruction, and ZEISS DeepRecon, microscopy’s first commercially available deep learning reconstruction technology.

ZEISS Advanced Reconstruction Toolbox, available on ZEISS Xradia 3D X-ray platforms, will enable customers to continuously access the latest technologies available for reconstruction, providing flexible strategies as researchers’ imaging needs evolve. Based on advancing reconstruction technologies beyond the typical “filtered back projection” or Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithms, this AI-based toolbox enables fewer projections, reducing scan times by up to 10X, depending on module and material. These developments allow improved data collection and analysis for faster decision-making.

At the same time, both ZEISS OptiRecon and ZEISS DeepRecon modules retain image quality, or offer greatly improved image quality for many applications. The traditional challenge of choosing either image quality or sample throughput has been resolved with these new capabilities.

ZEISS OptiRecon allows researchers to achieve superior interior tomography or throughput on a broad class of samples with improved contrast-to-noise ratios. ZEISS DeepRecon increases speed by up to an order of magnitude for sample classes with repetitive workflows, making 3D X-ray microscopy even more attractive as a solution for manufacturing, process, and quality control applications.

Professor. Dr. J.H. Shim, of Dongshin University in South Korea, formerly principal researcher in the electronics industry, speaking of a typical research application, said, “Only ZEISS enables the visualization of the polymer separator in such a short scan time and with such a small number of projections. OptiRecon and DeepRecon are fantastic applications for industry battery customers.”

According to Daniel Sims, Head of ZEISS X-ray Microscopy in Pleasanton, California, “These unique offerings will enable our customers in industry and academia to enrich their research, accelerate their time to results, and ultimately extend the capability of, and their return on investment in, their ZEISS Xradia microscopes.”

ZEISS Advanced Reconstruction Toolbox, and the optional ZEISS OptiRecon and ZEISS DeepRecon modules, are immediately available for upgrade on existing ZEISS Xradia Versa and Context microscopes, enhancing the capability of installed systems, as well as on new ZEISS Xradia X-ray microscopes.

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 6.4 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2019).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With over 31,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 60 sales and service companies, 30 production sites and 25 development sites. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions

ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is the world's only one-stop manufacturer of light, electron, X-ray and ion microscope systems and offers solutions for correlative microscopy. The portfolio comprises of products and services for life sciences, materials and industrial research, as well as education and clinical practice. The unit is headquartered in Jena. Additional production and development sites are located in Oberkochen and Munich, as well as in Cambridge (UK) and Pleasanton (USA). ZEISS Research Microscopy Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

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