Titanic uncertainty

Original cover direction tying the Titanic metaphor to the figure colors and flat illustration style.
Client
NIST / Samuel M. Stavis
Year
2024
Type
3D illustration / cover submission / paper figure
Field
semiconductor metrology / uncertainty evaluation
Status
submitted manuscript
Links
arXiv preprint
Description
Cover-submission imagery and paper figures for a manuscript about dark uncertainty in hybrid semiconductor metrology.

Context

The manuscript argues that hybrid metrology for semiconductor manufacturing can underestimate uncertainty when inconsistent measurement results are forced into one combined value. The authors use the Titanic metaphor to describe dark uncertainty: a hidden problem that can sink a measurement strategy if it is ignored.

Approach

I developed cover-submission imagery around the Titanic metaphor and worked with the authors on the paper figures. The original cover direction used a flatter, poster-like treatment tied to the figure colors; the final direction chosen by the authors used a darker 3D ship and iceberg scene.

Cover Directions

Final cover direction selected by the authors.

Figures

Uncertainty iceberg figure showing knowable and harder-to-see sources of uncertainty.
Conceptual diagram for evaluating consistency and dark uncertainty.
Plot comparing uncertainty results under different statistical models.
Decision pathway for combining measurement results when consistency is uncertain.