Digital imaging system for track measurements

Abstract A digital imaging system (DIS) has been implanted for counting and analysis of nuclear tracks in solids. This system presents advantages in comparison with similar systems. An optical microscope is used for the magnification of the tracks, a Color Camera Digital (CCD), converts the light into an electrical signal. Analog information is sent to the electronic card, digitizing the signal. In this case a Data Translation, Vision EZ ® card was chosen and the GLOBAL LAB ® image software was installed in the PC. The system has not only the capability foe automatic counting of track densities, as many other commercial and research systems, but also has the capability of track characterization, via the particle diameter determination. The system can digitize tracks from 4 to 100 μm in diameter, calibrating directly to the reference scale on the objective. Finally, the data measurements are handled by a calculus software for further analysis. The digital image analyzed is simple, easy to operate, and low cost compared with other systems.