Abstract:
An improved apparatus and method for the analysis of surface data collected using a sub-micron scale metrology instrument which provides a persistent user experience by allocating set portions of the display to major functional regions thereby allowing a quick to learn and easy to user interface for the setup, analysis, and display of microscopic 3D surface data measurements and resulting analytic data with a variety of 3D surface scanners.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to the field of 3D surface metrology; in particular, scanning microscopes, and more particularly, to an apparatus which collects, analyzes, and displays the multi-dimensional surface characteristic data collected by the scanning microscopes. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Scanning probe microscopes such as scanning probe microscopes (SPMs), atomic force microscopes (AFMs), interferometric optical profilers, confocal microscopes, and the like are devices which typically collect multi-dimensional surface data to characterize the observed sample&#39;s surface down to sub-micrometer and atomic dimensions. Generally, the data is collected in some type of path such as a raster scan or other trajectory which locates the surface in three dimensions and returns information about the surface characteristics. By providing relative scanning movement between the sensor (the device that gathers the surface data, such as an interferometric sensor, contact probe, or confocal instrument) and the sample, surface characteristic data can be acquired over a particular region of the sample, and a corresponding multi-dimensional map of the sample&#39;s surface characteristics can be generated. 
         [0005]    Scanning probe microscopes can obtain resolution down to the atomic level on a wide variety of insulating or conductive surfaces in air, liquid or vacuum by using piezoelectric scanners, optical lever deflection detectors, optical point illumination, and so forth. Because of their resolution and versatility these microscopes are very important measurement devices in many diverse fields ranging from semiconductor manufacturing to biological research. 
         [0006]    Advanced 3D surface metrology systems often present a challenge to user interface design because of the inherent clash between the desire to provide an easy, intuitive interface and the need to make accessible all the available controls and myriad of functions associated with such systems, which are required to maximize the capabilities of these powerful instruments. Of course, with the latter being generally more important than the former. There has been a complimentary need for expert users, otherwise the full power of these tools cannot be utilized. Notably, this has somewhat limited the broad acceptance of some metrology tools. 
         [0007]    Managing such complexity must take into account not only the various modes of operation for the instrument but also the different types of operators that use it. Various methods exist to deal with this issue such as wizards, dialogs, custom interfaces, and context sensitive help among others. However, this often results in too many interface windows and dialogs that require cumbersome navigation on the part of the user; or in the case of custom interfaces, reduce functionality or significant engineering effort to customize the interface for various applications and/or users. 
         [0008]    What was needed then is an easy to learn and an intuitive interface that allows for quick completion of user tasks while avoiding the problems of user confusion, error, slow user response times, more difficult and timely learning curves, and so forth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an apparatus and method for collection and analysis of microscopic surface data that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) layout designed for advanced metrology instrumentation for 3D surface data where the instrument control functions and data analysis functions coexist and share the same display real estate in an intelligent fashion to make the full system functionality available to the user in a more intuitive fashion and with significantly less work. 
         [0010]    The invention here is an intelligent user software interface layout that seeks to expose as much functionality at the top level for easy access with very few clicks and without the clutter of multiple overlapping windows competing for the display real estate. The paradigm for this interface is similar to a cockpit found on other complex instruments that emphasizes usability. The screen is divided into specific areas that are locked in place relative to each other. Moreover, these areas can be reused, depending on the mode the system is in, i.e. measurement, analyses, online help, support, web browsing, etc. With this design, the users can predictably and efficiently find the function or control they are looking for with fewer clicks than in more traditional document-view model type interfaces. 
         [0011]    In accordance of one aspect of the invention the user interface provides no overlapping windows and minimal dialog boxes for a substantial number of the invention&#39;s operating modes. The surface analyzer may have a sensor (providing a surface measurement data from an object), a display, a user input device, processing elements (for processing the surface measurement data), and a user interface display region having visual regions within. The major visual regions of the display are a data visualization window, a measurement control panel, a data analyzer window, and an active data gallery. Importantly, the visual regions are simultaneously displayed in a persistent location and size relative to the user interface display region. 
         [0012]    Thus it is one advantage of the invention to offer a fixed user interface similar to that of hardware displays such as in a cockpit, which are immutable due to their physical hardware, and thus easier to memorize and access. 
         [0013]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the data analyzer window has processing elements for processing the surface measurement data which can be applied to using the user input device (such as a mouse or touch screen) to select and apply the processing element(s) in a single user input device operation. The invention also provides a data visualization window with various display modes for representation of the surface measurement data and characteristics. The display mode may be easily selected by the user input device in a single user input device operation. 
         [0014]    Thus, it is another advantage of the invention to offer a quick and easy device for processing the surface data and selecting how to display the results. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect of the invention the surface analyzer may have a control panel providing control elements that allow selection of measurement type, measurement area, a measurement multiplier, measurement magnification, and measurement illumination, wherein each and every control element setting may be selected by the user input device in a single user input device operation. 
         [0016]    Thus, it is yet another advantage of the invention to offer a quick and easy device for controlling the measurement of the surface data. 
         [0017]    According to one another aspect of the invention, the active data gallery provides one or more selections for previously collected surface measurement data, wherein each and every previously collected surface measurement may be selected by the user input device in a single user input device operation. Thus, it is yet another advantage of the invention to offer a quick and easy device for organizing and recalling the previously collected and/or analyzed surface data. 
         [0018]    According to one aspect of the invention, a method of operating a surface analyzer is used to measure the surface of a sample by 1) setting up the surface analyzer to measure the sample; 2) operating the surface analyzer to collect the surface data; 3) applying one or more processing elements (i.e. processing sequence) to the surface data so as to produce processed surface data; 4) viewing representations of the surface data or the processed surface data on a display; and 5) saving the processing sequence, the surface data, and/or the processed surface data. The processed surface data may provide surface information such as surface location, indentations, adhesion, hardness, and elasticity. In addition, the processing sequence may be previously defined in a user saved processing sequence or a default processing sequence. 
         [0019]    Thus, it is one advantage of the invention to provide a simple method for collecting, analyzing, and saving surface data as well as saving the processing sequence(s) for ease of use. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the invention, more than one representation of the surface data that has been processed by a plurality of processing sequences may be displayed. A selector may be used for displaying the representations of the surface data or the processed surface data on the display simultaneously. 
         [0021]    It is, thus, another advantage of the invention to provide for side-by-side or simultaneous viewing and analysis of processed surface data sets using differing processing sequences and the same or differing surface data as inputs. 
         [0022]    In another aspect of the invention the representation of the processed surface data may be a measurement, a parameter, a plot, and a surface rendering of the sample. Thus, providing the advantage of multiple forms to view the analyzed data. 
         [0023]    In yet another aspect of the invention, one or more processing elements may be used to transform one or more sets of the surface data or processed surface data using, for example, a real-time filter, a post-processing filter, a data combining operation, a data masking operation, a frequency transform, an inversion, a subtraction, an estimator, and so forth. In addition, more sophisticated processing elements which analyze the data may be used which transform one or more sets of the surface data or processed surface data to produce an analysis of said data (for example: height histograms, filtered height histograms, multiple-regions statistical analysis, power spectral density, cross hatch analysis, mean surface roughness, root mean square surface roughness, root mean square surface slope, mean summit curvature, summit density, surface texture aspect ratio, feature statistics analysis, surface texture skewness, surface texture kurtosis, average distance between highest and lowest points, step height, digitally filtered stylus analysis, hypothetical Zernike wavefront analysis, material volume estimate, void volume estimate, and so forth). 
         [0024]    Thus, it is one advantage to provide a toolbox of various processing elements to yield sophisticated and powerful results with minimal user interaction. 
         [0025]    In yet another aspect of the invention the surface analyzer has a sensor (providing a surface measurement data from a sample), processing elements for processing the surface measurement data, and a user interface with a display screen and a user input device such as a mouse. The processing elements may be selected individually or as a group, ordered by the user into a processing sequence, and applied to the surface measurement data to produce processed surface data wherein a representation of the processed surface data may be is displayed. The sensor may be an interferometric sensor, a contact probe, a confocal instrument, and the like. The surface analyzer may also include a controller for positioning the sensor, measurement setup, real-time measurement interaction, and a surface data collection. 
         [0026]    Thus, it is another advantage of the present invention to provide an entire sensor to analysis and display solution wherein the user may control, analyze and view the surface data within a single device/application. 
         [0027]    These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a sample, a sensor, and a workstation; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a simplified diagram of the user interface of the present invention showing the major regions of the interface; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a screenshot of the user interface of an embodiment of the present invention showing data collection and analysis of a sample; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a section of the user interface of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  showing, primarily, the main display area, but also display tabs and a data visualization taskbar; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a section of the user interface of  FIG. 3   showing  the measurement control panel; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a section of the user interface of  FIG. 3  showing the data analysis area; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a section of the user interface of  FIG. 3  showing the active data gallery; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of the user interface of an embodiment of the present invention showing simultaneous comparative analysis of the same sample; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are screenshots of the process windows, sequences and trees presented via the GUI of the preferred embodiments; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of collection and analysis of data concerning a sample according to the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0039]    In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    The preferred embodiments are directed to surface analyzers, such as a scanning microscope, an apparatus which collects, analyzes, and displays the multi-dimensional surface characteristic data from the scanning microscope sensor while providing an efficient full-featured user interface for defining and implementing data collection from a sample, as well as post-collection analyses that may have multiple analysis processes applied for side-by-side comparisons. Moreover, because all user interface control and display areas are simultaneously displayed, the control of the device and the display of data, contrary to prior art systems, is intuitive, fast to learn, and easy to use. 
         [0041]    Referring now to the Figures, in particular to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown including a sample  2  whose surface data characteristics are being collected and analyzed. The sample  2  has an outer surface  4  from which the sensor  6  may collect data about the surface characteristics of sample  2 . Although the scanning microscope may have any of a variety of 3D scanning sensors, the sensor is shown as the probe tip  6  of a scanning probe microscope (SPM). 
         [0042]    In alternative embodiments the sensor may be a probe for an atomic force microscope (AFM), one or more light emitters/optical sensors such as for an interferometric optical profiler, a confocal microscope, and the like. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  the probe  6  of surface analyzer  1  traverses the surface  4  of the sample  2 . The surface  4  of the sample traversed may be masked at contour line  8  such that surfaces below the plane  10  are not collected. The path followed by the sensor probe  6  may be a raster scan, alternatively, some other user-defined or default path as will be explained below. 
         [0044]    The data collected by the probe  6  is transmitted to the main workstation  12  along some communications channel such as a wired connection  14  (in alternative embodiments the sensor data may be transmitted wirelessly). The user (not shown) interacts with the present invention with main workstation  12  by utilizing monitor  16  for controlling the collection of surface data and viewing a variety of information about sample  2  in display area  18  as will be explained below. In addition, the workstation  12  may have a main processing unit shown as stand-alone enclosure  23  or it may be integrated into the display (not shown). The user also utilizes input devices such as mouse  20  and keyboard  22  for various operations. Other preferred embodiments, however, may utilize one or more of a variety of input devices such as track pad, track ball, touch screen, and the like. 
         [0045]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the display area  18  is composed of major regions, each receiving a fixed part of the display area  18 . The major regions include the data visualization window shown as Main Display area  24 , the Data Analyzer  30 , the Measurement Control Panel  32 , and the Active Data Gallery  34 . The Main Display area  24  may be switched between three differing displays using an appropriate selector 1) the Live Video window, 2) the Data Visualization window, and 3) the Database window. This will be described in detail below. By decomposing the invention functionality into major regions, the commonalities and idiosyncrasies of these major region&#39;s functions can be harnessed and leveraged to provide a much richer user interface. In addition, there are minor regions  21  in display area  18 : the Quick Access toolbar  36 , the Ribbon tabs  38  and Ribbon  40 . Although these regions are also persistently displayed, they provide supplementary functionality and occupy smaller regions. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  but also to  FIG. 2 , the display area  18  (which is shown as a simplified diagram of the major regions of the interface in  FIG. 2 ) is shown in  FIG. 3  as a snapshot of an actual screen. As previously noted, the major regions are always simultaneously displayed to the user regardless of the current operation of the device; this is also referred to as a tiled interface. The primary region of the major regions of the display  18  is the Main Display area  24 , which may contain one or more of the following: a live video window, a data visualization manager, and a database window.  FIG. 3  depicts the Main Display area  24  having a Main Display window  25 , for example, showing a contour plot of previously collected data. The Main Display area  24  has an associated Data Visualization taskbar  26 , which is used to control the data that is displayed or plotted in the Main Display window  25  as well as Display tabs  28 . 
         [0047]    Continuing with  FIGS. 2 and 3 , of the application&#39;s display  21  also contains minor regions: the Application Menu Button  39 , Quick Access Toolbar  36 , Ribbon Tabs  38 , and Ribbon  40 . Another important aspect of the user interface design is the use of persistent ribbon menu elements in Ribbon  40 . These elements represent critical or commonly used functions that are always present on the ribbon  40 , regardless of the current ribbon menu selection. As well, the Application Menu button  39  provides quick access to many of the important application functions such as taking a measurement, working with processing sequences (i.e. recipes, or pluralities of processing elements), and applying an automation sequence. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the Main Display area  24  of the screen  18  is a multipurpose area that can display different types of information dependent on the mode the program is in (Measurement mode, Analysis mode, and Data/Database view mode). The mode may be selected by the user from the Display tabs  28  or selectors. Thus, the user can quickly change modes by clicking on the Display tabs  28  thereby changing the information shown in active display area shown as Main Display window  25 . The Main Display window  25  may display 1) the Live Video window by selecting the Live Video tab  31  in the Display tabs  28 , 2) the Data Visualization window by selecting any of the Dataset tabs  33  in Display tabs  28 , and 3) the Database window by selecting Database tab  29  in the Display tabs  28 . For example, when setting up for a measurement, the user can switch to Live Video with tab  31 . When a measurement is complete, the display may be configured to automatically switch to the Data Visualization window to display the new dataset, or by selecting any one of the Dataset tabs  33 . Alternatively, the user can select a previous dataset for analysis by selecting the desired Dataset tab  33 . Also, the user can select the Database view with tab  29  to monitor results during a long automated run wherein each measurement results in a new record logged to the database. This arrangement makes it easier for users to learn to use the software and requires fewer clicks to execute functions because all the main functions of the software are exposed at the top level. In addition to selecting a window by clicking a Display Tab, the user may select the Active Files Arrow at the right end of the Display Tabs  13  and select a previously acquired data file. The Main Display area  24  also has a Data Visualization taskbar  26  allowing the user to generate various types of plots in the Main Display window  24 , along with a button for creating custom plots. 
         [0049]    In addition to independently displayed tab-selected views, the invention allows for split view of these displays when needed. So, for example, it is possible to display the Live Video and Data Visualization windows simultaneously as tiled (side-by-side) non-overlapping windows (not shown). 
         [0050]    Continuing with  FIG. 4 , the Main Display window  25  is currently showing previous measurement mems-3.opd file  35  as shown in Display tabs  28 . The plot that is being displayed is a contour plot  35  as selected in Data Visualization taskbar  26 . The contour plot is comprised of a colorized top view of the sample&#39;s surface (shown in grayscale)  42  with x and y scales  48 ,  50  in millimeters (mm). The height and depth of the colors associated with this color map are shown in color bar  44  in micrometers (μm). In addition, the cursor positioned at a point in the sample display shown as a shaded 2-D plot  46  has associated axes: x-axis  52  and y-axis  54 , which are used to produce X Profile plot  56  and Y Profile plot  58 . The profile plots show the height and depth of the surface in micrometers (μm) as well. The user may select a number of different plot types from the Data Visualization Taskbar  26  such as a 3Di plot  60 , a bearing plot  62 , a histogram plot  64 , an angular power spectral density (Angular PSD) plot  66 , an autocorrelation plot  68 , and a power spectral density (PSD) plot  70 . In addition, the user may create combination plots  72  and custom plots  74 . 
         [0051]    As well, the Main Display window  25  may be divided by the user into selected regions to create a custom plot layout. For example, when the user is in custom plot layout mode she may select to divide the Main display window  24  into two regions (an upper and a lower region) by selecting to add a horizontal division. The user may select one of these regions, for example the upper region, and further divide it into two subregions (a left region and a right region) by selecting the addition of a vertical division. This custom plot layout tool allows successive horizontal or vertical splitting of the display window  25  into a custom plot layout. Each region or subregion can be assigned unique characteristics, such as a plot type, parameters, tables, metadata, and the like that can be saved to create the custom plot layout template which may be recalled later and populated with surface data and other information, including analysis of the same. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment according to the present invention, the user may draw a path in the 2-D plot  46  between two points to select one or more unique profile plots such as  56 ,  58 , however, with the profile shown according to the user selected path rather than in, for example, the X or Y direction (not shown). This allows for any path selected by the user in the 2-D plot  46  to show an accompanying cross-section plot that may be updated in real-time as the user draws the path. 
         [0053]    The user may also display at least two plots within the Main Display window  24 , which may show different representations derived from the same surface data. The two plots may be linked such that as the user selects a region for viewing in the first plot, the second plot is accordingly shifted to show the same selected portion in the second plot as in the first plot in real-time. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment the user may select a template (i.e., a region of a plot) for matching in a template matching mode. The region selected by the user is then matched over some set of surface data (such as the current plot from which the user has defined or selected her template). This matching or correlation process finds and indicates one or more regions similar to the user selected template. The template region may also be reselected for tuning. As well, the user can select any matched region for inspection in a larger plot with a single input operation allowing her to quickly inspect all of the similar matched regions located. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the Measurement Control panel  32  is shown. The Measurement Control Panel  32  controls the primary settings for the active measurement. This can be done by using the controls of the Measurement Control pane  32 , for example, by selecting measurement type (VSI, PSI, or intensity)  76 , objective  78  (the magnification of the optical profiler), multiplier  80  (the overall magnification of the system), the measurement area  82  (the vertical length and/or width scanned during the measurement), the speed of the measurement  84 , back scan depth  86  (μm), length  88  (μm), threshold  90  (in percent), and illumination  92  (default, or by color). In addition, there are advanced settings available in a dialog box through the More button  94 . 
         [0056]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the Data Analyzer window  30  is shown. The Data Analyzer window  30  controls the filters and analyses applied to the associated dataset  96 . This allows the user to easily apply customized processing step or steps (i.e. a processing sequence), which may be, for example, a default processing sequence (pre-defined as part of the invention) or a user saved processing sequence. The steps of the processing sequence may be applied real-time on the surface data as it is collected. For example, the user could select a filter in the analyzer window and specify the real-time rather than post-processing application of the filter. This can provide several advantages, including allowing the system to improve image quality prior to completing the full scan of the sample. Full scans can take several hours, with the possibility of generating images of little value to the user due to several operational factors known in the art. Real-time processing according to the present preferred embodiments can therefore operate to correct imaging parameters and thereby minimize the occurrence of acquisition of potentially useless images. 
         [0057]    The processing sequence extracts key information such as various parameters of interest from the processed surface data, for example mems-3.opd  96 . The Data Analyzer  30  is a major region and is, therefore, persistently displayed. The right pane known as the Analysis toolbox  98  consists of a list of selectable filters  100  and analyses  102  and displays a comprehensive list of filters and analyses. For example, the user selects a processing element such as Gaussian Regression filter  104 . The filter may be applied to the active surface data set in the left pane  106  such as to the surface height raw data  108 . Alternatively, the filter could be applied in real-time as the surface data is collected. The results of the application of the processing elements (i.e. the filters and analyses in the Data Analyzer  30 ) yields a representation of the surface data or processed surface data shown in the Main Display window  25  (see  FIG. 3 ). As another example, the user may select an analysis from the analyses  102 . The selected analysis, may comprise one or more processing elements that transform one or more separately collections of the surface data (i.e. surface data sets) to produce collections of processed surface data (i.e. processed surface data sets), for example, height histograms, filtered height histograms, a multiple-region statistical analysis, power spectral density, a cross hatch analysis, mean surface roughness, root mean square surface roughness, root mean square surface slope, mean summit curvature, summit density, surface texture aspect ratio, feature statistics analysis, surface texture skewness, surface texture kurtosis, average distance between highest and lowest points, step height, digitally filtered stylus analysis, hypothetical Zernike wavefront analysis, a material volume estimate, a void volume estimate, and the like. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the Active Data Gallery  34  is shown. The Active Data Gallery  34  is a major region, thus, persistently displayed. It allows the user to quickly switch between currently open datasets, for example datasets “mems-3.opd”  110 , “WYKO Stitch.OPD”  112 , “mems-1.opd”  114 , and “juarter Low Res.opd”  116 . 
         [0059]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , the present invention may also be used for multiple or comparative analysis of single or multiple datasets. Shown is an example screen  140  where the basic surface statistics are computed and displayed side-by-side on a single dataset, largeMap.OPD as selected by tab  142 . This single dataset has been filtered differently; for example, by using the processing elements shown in the data analysis region  151  which are selected from the analysis toolbox  153 , such as the basic stats element  141 , which is applied to the raw data  149  at processing blocks  143 ,  155 . A group of processing elements may be applied to raw data  149  to form a processing sequence; for example, by performing terms removal  141  and a Fourier filter  143  to which basic stats  145  are then applied. The display of the X, Y profiles plot  144  is determined by the output of the selected processing element, for example, by selecting terms removal  141  which yields a display of the output of the terms removal processing element  141 . Similarly, a second processing sequence operating on raw data  149  can be defined such as Gaussian regression  147  and basic stats( 2 )  155 . The user may select any of the processing block representing a given processing element in either sequence (in this example both operating on raw data  149 ) to observe the output of the respective processing element. This way, the effects of each processing element can be compared on the same data set (as in this example) or between different data sets (not shown). User selection of the processing elements in the analysis toolbox  153  is used to graphically build a processing sequence as shown. These processing sequences, or “recipes,” can be saved as “recipes” for later application to the same surface data set or other data sets. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the present invention may also be used to create and associate one or more processing sequences (i.e., data flows) with a given data set thereby allowing the saving and recall of the processing sequence(s) with a given data set, or even a new data set. For illustration of how these sequences can be defined and associated,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show use of the data analyzer portion of the GUI  151  during the definition of a processing sequence associated with, for example, data object “mems-3-opd”  157 . For surface height analysis, for example in both  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the user has selected an operation on the raw data  167 , namely, a Gaussian regression filter  169 . Thereafter, a data fill  171  is applied, and basic statistics  173  are generated. In addition there is a second branch (i.e., parallel processing sequence) including an additional processing element for computing “V parameters”  175  based on the output of the Gaussian regression filter  169  (again in both  FIGS. 9A and 9B ). 
         [0061]    Turning more specifically to  FIG. 9B , the process of adding one or more processing elements to a processing sequence (such as that shown in the ‘before’ screen shot of  FIG. 9A ) is quickly and easily performed in a single input operation such as a click and drag operation with a user input device such as a mouse as shown in  FIG. 9B . The user may decide, for example to add another processing element to follow the V parameters processing  175  (thus taking input from the V parameters processing block output), for example, “S Parameters—Height”  177 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . To accomplish this, the user may select the S Parameters—Height processing element  181  from the “Analyses” frame  179  and drag it into the processing branch (parallel processing sequence) at the position of S Parameters—Height  177  processing block in the Data Analyzer frame  183 . Thus, the user may select any of the processing elements in analysis toolbox  185  (comprising Filters frame  183  and Analyses frame  179 ) to graphically build one or more processing sequences as shown. These combined sets of processing sequences, can be saved as “recipes” that are associated with the current data set, as in this example mems-3.opd, and can be recalled along with the data set when the file is opened at a later time. In addition, the combined processing sequences may be recalled for later application to other data sets. Comparative analysis is enabled, for example, by the user selecting the V parameters block  175 , or the S parameters height block  177 , which will show the different surface heights calculated for these two different processing blocks on the raw data of mems-3.opd (not shown). 
         [0062]    Thus the user can easily process surface data with all the required elements simultaneously available on the “top level” of the GUI. In other words, the GUI elements for the selection and ordering of processing elements (used to create user-defined processing sequences) are persistently visible with none of the major functional elements hidden. This type of “direct access” to the functions including processing elements provides a significant advantage over prior analysis tools. Rather than multiple stacked windows, each window/function/tree has a piece of real estate on the primary screen which can be characterized as having intelligent sectioning allowing the user to access functions and see results all at the same time. Furthermore, the user-defined processing sequences can be applied in parallel with two processing elements getting their inputs either from the same surface data, processed surface data, or output of a preceding processing element, as discussed elsewhere herein. In doing so, the processing or functional elements can be executed substantially simultaneously to efficiently output results, including plots, that a user may want to see side-by-side. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a method  130  of collecting surface characteristic data is described via a high level flow chart. In Block  120 , the method includes performing measurement setup. The measurement setup step may utilize the measurement parameters pane  32  by selecting measurement type  76 , objective  78 , multiplier  80 , the measurement area  82 , the speed of the measurement  84 , and so forth. (See  FIG. 5  and corresponding description, supra) In Block  122 , the method includes collecting measurement data. This may be viewed during data collection in the live video window  25 . Then, in Block  124 , processing step or steps (i.e. processing sequence) are applied to the currently collected data set. The Data Analyzer  30  may control the filters and analyses applied to the associated dataset  96  either during data collection (real-time) or post data collection. (see  FIG. 6  and corresponding description, supra). The method  130  then includes Block  126 : viewing one or more data sets in the Main Display area  24  with one or more processing sequences (analyzer recipes) applied (see  FIG. 4  and corresponding description, supra). Optionally, in Block  128 , the method includes saving the active data set and processing sequences to a database. 
         [0064]    In addition, there are many other combinations of processing steps such as masking the sample before collection or the data after collection using a pre-defined or user-defined mask in the Analysis Toolbox  98 , selecting any of a variety of plots for displaying the processed data using the Data Visualization Taskbar  26 , and so forth. 
         [0065]    It should be clear that there are virtually innumerable uses for the present invention, all of which need not be detailed here. All the disclosed embodiments can be practiced without undue experimentation. 
         [0066]    Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. In addition, the individual components need not be fabricated from the disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually any suitable materials. Moreover, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Further, although many elements and components are described herein as physically separate modules, it will be manifest that they may be integrated into the apparatus with which it is associated. Furthermore, all the disclosed features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such features are mutually exclusive. 
         [0067]    Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.