URSA 200 is the first microanalyser to completely integrate digital electron and spectral imaging with the x-ray analyser. Not only image acquisition software and spectrum acquisition software are parts of a single microanalysis application, but all the microscope beam control and spectrum acquisition circuits reside on the same board . This ensures there are no delays in switching from one mode of operation to another, no extra PC slots required and no cabling for often troublesome connections between separate modules. Despite the very straightforward user interface, URSA 200 packs some very powerful features. High definition electron images from two simultaneous sources (typically secondary and backscattered electron detectors) can be acquired in seconds at resolutions of up to 2048 and with 4096 grey levels. Thanks to the unique pixel integration technique used by URSA 200, the quality of the image rivals that of the microscope. Even mains synchronization can be employed for those low kV, high magnification images.

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URSA 200 takes full advantage of its high throughput capability by acquiring full spectrum information from each pixel as it scans the sample digitally with dead time corrected dwell time. Any number of element maps (together with two electron images) can be viewed during acquisition. More importantly, maps of additional elements can be examined after the spectral image file has been acquired. Special software tools can automatically reveal all the elements contained in the spectral image file and even produce maps based on chemical composition. URSA 200 also allows you to extract aggregate spectra from user defined areas on the image. Any areas can be defined, whether by marking a rectangle, a polygon or using the free hand drawing tool. Naturally you can also extract elemental line profiles along lines drawn in any direction.

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URSA 200 beam control also allows you to position the beam in spot mode for spot analysis and can be programmed to sequentially acquire spectra from a series of pre-selected spots for unattended operation. It can also drive microscope beam along a user defined line at any orientation to provide live line profiles.

All these modes of operation share a unified user interface that supports many powerful features. All images are acompanied by a calibrated micron bar and can be zoomed or panned to any size. A linear measurement tool is always available. Many image processing functions such as pseudo coloring, histogram equalization, contrast and brightness control, smoothing and image annotation can be performed with a click of a button. Intensity histograms as well as image statistics display (minimum, maximum, average, S.D.) are also just a mouse click away.

For users doing high resolution microanalysis over extended periods of time, URSA 200 offers a stage drift correction option. With this option, image drift is automatically detected by the software, and corrective signals are sent to the microscope scanning coils to return the image to its original position.

To handle the vast amount of information acquired in the spectral image, URSA 200 employs a unique on-the-fly compression technique. This keeps URSA's run-time memory consumption to a minimum, and ensures saved files are compact. Images can also be exported to the popular TIF format, or pasted into other applications. URSA reports allows the creation of report templates, where images (as well as spectra, quant results, and any other available information) are automatically placed into custom URSA reports.