Patent ID: 7154091

Claim:
A system for imaging one or more samples, the system comprising: a stage assembly, the stage assembly comprising a sample to be imaged; a laser source, the laser source being capable of emitting an optical pulse of less than 1 ps in duration; a cathode coupled to the laser source, the cathode being capable of emitting an electron pulse less than 1 ps in duration; an electron lens assembly adapted to focus the electron pulse onto the sample disposed on the stage; a detector adapted to capture one or more electrons passing through the sample, the one or more electrons passing through the sample being representative of an image of the sample, the detector providing a data signal associated with the one or more electrons passing through the sample that represents the image of the sample; and a processor coupled to the detector, the processor being adapted to process the data signal associated with the one or more electrons passing through the sample to output information associated with the image represented by the sample; and an output device coupled to the processor, the output device being adapted to output the information associated with the image represented by the sample.