System and method of dimensional calibration for an analytical microscope

1. A calibration element for an analytical microscope, comprising a multidimensional feature structure having an array of large features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of substantially light features and substantially dark features, each of the large features comprising a plurality of small features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of rows and columns, wherein the small features of the substantially light features include light reflecting structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and the small features the substantially dark features include light absorbing structure or light transmissive structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and further wherein the substantially light features and the substantially dark features exhibit contrast when illuminated by a light beam.

2. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the light beam comprises a laser light beam.

3. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the light beam comprises an infrared light beam.

4. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the contrast is exhibited in reflection of the light beam.

5. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the large features comprise a square dimension of about 40 μm and the small features comprise a square dimension of about 8 μm.

6. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the light reflecting structure comprises metal-coated features.

7. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the light absorbing structure comprises black-chrome-coated features.

8. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the light absorbing structure comprises photoresist-coated features.

9. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the substantially non-periodic pattern further includes a cross-hair.

10. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the substantially non-periodic patterns of large features and small features do not repeat over at least two regions associated with a field of view of an objective lens.

11. The calibration element of claim 10 , wherein a first region comprises a dimension in a range of between 50 and 600 μm, and a second region comprises a dimension in a range of between 5 and 60 μm.

12. The calibration element of claim 1 , wherein the multidimensional feature structure is disposed on a slide.

13. The calibration element of claim 12 , wherein the multidimensional feature structure is disposed on a bottom surface of the slide so that the substantially non-periodic pattern is imaged through the slide from above.

14. A magnification measurement system comprising:

a microscope stage configured for translation over known distances;

a calibration element disposed on the microscope stage, the calibration element comprising a multidimensional feature structure having an array of large features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of substantially light features and substantially dark features, each of the large features comprising a plurality of small features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of rows and columns, wherein the small features of the substantially light features include light reflecting structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and the small features the substantially dark features include light absorbing structure or light transmissive structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and further wherein the substantially light features and the substantially dark features exhibit contrast when illuminated by a light beam;

one or more detectors that collect a plurality of images of the multidimensional feature structure through an objective lens; and

a computer configured to determine a magnification level of the objective lens based on correlation of images of the multidimensional feature structure before and after translation.

15. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the computer is further configured to identify the objective lens that acquired the images based on closest match between the determined magnification level and one of a plurality of magnification levels each associated with an embodiment of an objective lens.

16. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the detectors include a spectrometer.

17. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the detectors include an optical camera.

18. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the contrast is exhibited in reflection of the light beam.

19. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the light reflecting structure comprises metal-coated features.

20. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the light absorbing structure comprises black-chrome-coated features.

21. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the light absorbing structure comprises photoresist-coated portions.

22. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the calibration element comprises a cross-hair element.

23. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the substantially non-periodic patterns of large features and small features do not repeat over at least two regions associated with a field of view of an objective lens.

24. The magnification measurement system of claim 23 , wherein a first region comprises a dimension in a range of between 50 and 600 microns, and a second region comprises a dimension in a range of between 5 and 60 microns.

25. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the calibration element is disposed on a sample slide mounted on the microscope stage.

26. The magnification measurement system of claim 25 , wherein the calibration element is disposed on a bottom surface of the slide so that the calibration element is imaged through the slide from above.

27. The magnification measurement system of claim 14 , wherein the calibration element is mounted on the microscope stage.

28. A method for measuring magnification, comprising:

acquiring an image of a multidimensional feature structure having an array of large features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of substantially light features and substantially dark features, each of the large features comprising a plurality of small features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of rows and columns, wherein the small features of the substantially light features include light reflecting structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and the small features the substantially dark features include light absorbing structure or light transmissive structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and further wherein the substantially light features and the substantially dark features exhibit contrast when illuminated by a light beam, and the multidimensional feature structure is disposed on a stage of an analytical microscope;

translating the stage over a known distance;

acquiring a second image of the multidimensional feature structure; and

determining a magnification level of an objective lens that acquired the first image and the second image based on a correlation of the multidimensional feature structure in the first image and the second image.

29. The method of claim 28 , further including identifying the objective lens that acquired the first image and the second image based on closest match between the determined magnification level and one of a plurality of magnification levels each associated with an embodiment of an objective lens.

30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the first image and second image comprises an analytical image.

31. The method of claim 28 , wherein the first image and second image comprises an optical image.

32. A method for determining a shift between images, comprising:

acquiring an optical image of a multidimensional feature structure having an array of large features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of substantially light features and substantially dark features, each of the large features comprising a plurality of small features arranged in a substantially non-periodic pattern of rows and columns, wherein the small features of the substantially light features include light reflecting structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and the small features the substantially dark features include light absorbing structure or light transmissive structure that occurs at a >50% probability, and further wherein the substantially light features and the substantially dark features exhibit contrast when illuminated by a light beam, and the multidimensional feature structure is disposed on a stage of an analytical microscope;

acquiring an analytical image of the multidimensional feature structure; and

determining a shift between the optical image and the analytical image based on a correlation of the multidimensional feature structure in the optical image and the analytical image.

33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the shift indicates a difference of relative alignment between an optical detector and an analytical detector.