What is an event-based detector?

One of the most common questions we have to answer when we describe why our Apollo detector is so effective at electron counting is the question of what an event-based detector is.

Event-based detectors have a fascinating history, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, and efforts to replicate the way that animals see the world with our eyes, optic nerves, and brains.

For certain applications, including electron counting, event-based detectors promise to be a far more data efficient and cost effective alternative to conventional frame-based detectors.

To properly explain the differences between event-based and frame-based detectors, some of our applications specialists recently took the opportunity to write an article for Microscopy and Analysis magazine.

You can find their article at the link below for a full answer to the question “What is an event-based detector”?

https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/do/10.1002/was.000700117

What’s New

DE’s Carter Francis speaking at HyperSpy Workshop 2025 June 2-6

We’re excited to share that Dr. Carter Francis, Application Scientist at Direct Electron, will be

Revealing the Structure of Beam-Sensitive Perovskite Solar Cells with Low-Dose TEM

Cryo-TEM + low-dose imaging revealed atomic structure in beam-sensitive perovskite solar cells. DE-16 detector enabled lattice-resolution at <10 e⁻/Å²/s.

Pushing the Limits of EBSD: Mapping Crystal Orientation in Challenging Materials

Using SEMCam, researchers successfully recorded high-quality EBSD patterns at low beam energies and doses—overcoming the common limitations of conventional setups.

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DE Director of Sales in Columbia, SC on May 15th for SEMS

Direct Electron will exhibiting at the Southeastern Microscopy Society’s 60th annual meeting in Columbia, South

DE’s Carter Francis speaking at HyperSpy Workshop 2025 June 2-6

We’re excited to share that Dr. Carter Francis, Application Scientist at Direct Electron, will be presenting multiple tutorial sessions at the upcoming HyperSpy Workshop 2025. Hosted by Diamond Light Source, this international event brings together researchers, developers, and practitioners focused on open-source tools for advanced microscopy data analysis. Dr. Francis will be leading sessions on Tuesday, June 3rd, Thursday, June 5th, and Friday, June 6th, guiding attendees through the use of HyperSpy, a Python-based platforms for multi-dimensional data analysis in electron microscopy and the 4D STEM extension package pyxem. His tutorials will focus on large data analysis, writing fast and scalable code for data analysis and using the pyxem to analyze 4D and 5D STEM data, offering valuable insights for both new and experienced users. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from one of the field’s leading experts in electron microscopy software.

DE Director of Sales in Columbia, SC on May 15th for SEMS

Direct Electron will exhibiting at the Southeastern Microscopy Society’s 60th annual meeting in Columbia, South Carolina May 14-16 where Director of Sales Bob Monteverde will be giving a talk on “How to Make 4D STEM More Accessible” on Thursday, May 15th. If you’re attending SEMS this week, May 14-16 at the Courtyard by Marriott located at 630 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, don’t miss it. We hope to see you there!