Oxford Instruments Pairs Human Expertise With AI in AZtecHKL Software

Oxford Instruments is pairing artificial intelligence with decades of expertise in its updated AZtecHKL software for electron backscatter diffraction. A new licensed option, Tailored Workflow, leverages the knowledge of Oxford Instruments scientists to optimize system configuration for researchers with recurring requirements; Dominik Zimmer, Director of Specialisation at Oxford Instruments, claims it “makes every user a power user and every result the best achievable for a particular experiment.” The software also introduces EBSD Shadow Masking, an AI-powered feature designed to eliminate interfering shadows during detailed analysis of fracture surfaces and focused ion beam trenches.

Tailored Workflow Optimizes EBSD System Configuration

Oxford Instruments’ updated AZtecHKL software now offers a licensed option called Tailored Workflow, embedding the expertise of its scientists directly into the system configuration for researchers facing repeated analytical tasks. This is not simple automation, but a paid service designed to optimize EBSD experiments based on specific, recurring requirements, moving beyond generalized settings to deliver consistently high-quality data.

The addition of EBSD Shadow Masking addresses a persistent challenge in the field: dynamic electron backscatter diffraction shadows that obscure critical band detection. This new, AI-powered feature is particularly beneficial for detailed analysis of fracture surfaces, failure investigations, and samples prepared using focused ion beam techniques, where surface topography can significantly impact signal quality.

Mark Coleman, EBSD Product Manager, notes that “EBSD Shadow Masking reveals details that provide valuable insight and can help you draw conclusions with greater confidence.” By suppressing these interfering shadows, researchers can obtain clearer, more reliable EBSD patterns, improving the accuracy of their crystallographic analyses. Beyond these core features, the latest AZtecHKL release includes Batch Export and HTML Project Report, streamlining data handling and reporting.

Batch Export facilitates the efficient saving of large datasets, including those generated by AutoPhaseMap, in user-defined formats and sizes. The HTML Project Report automatically compiles all session data while preserving the original project structure for simplified sharing and collaboration. Coleman adds that “Tailored Workflow fine tunes parameters for your system and your samples to deliver optimal, consistent EBSD acquisition more quickly and readily,” highlighting the software’s commitment to both analytical power and user convenience.