Slow Scan Image Acquisition effective passive digital imaging for SEM
Some older SEM and TEMSCAN instruments still use film to record images. Users of these instruments therefore do not have the advantages of digital enhancement and storage. The I-SCAN system offers a very cost effective method to convert these instruments into a digital format.
I-SCAN is a PC based digital slow scan image acquisition system designed to collect images from almost any SEM or TEMSCAN instrument.
It is a passive system and acquires images from the SEM without interfering with the microscope operation. The image acquisition process is exactly the same as with a normal micrograph except that the image scan is displayed on the PC screen.
Users of old instruments now have the option of upgrading the imaging system at an affordable cost rather than the expense of a new microscope. A digital upgrade with its ability to perform slow scan digital imaging extends the effective life of an instrument by many years.
I-SCAN is 100% compatible with Windows 95/98, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista and W7 operating systems and is fully supported by in-house software engineering at ISS.
Sharp images with I-SCAN
Reduced Running Costs
Digital imaging and image storage reduces running costs compared with conventional photography by allowing the user to select images before printing ensuring that all are of the highest quality and content: No more wastage.
High Image Quality
I-SCAN maintains the aspect ratio of the SEM ensuring no image distortion
Resolution
Image resolution is actually improved by I-SCAN compared to photography, as the Photo CRT is a source of image degradation due to the phosphor structures and non-linearity of scans. The image resolution is only limited by the microscope scan rates. This enables high quality images to be captured and stored for future reference.
Data Information
On most microscopes Image data is collected with the image. This has the advantage of providing images in a conventional and familiar format and ensures data information is recorded as part of the image.
Time Saving Features
Dynamic Real-Time Filtering
This feature allows noise to be removed during image acquisition providing an instant clean sharp image removing the need for post processing.
On-screen Waveform Monitor
A feature enabling contrast, brightness and filtering to be set up quickly and easily prior to image acquisition.
Measurement & Annotation Overlays
The user can select if measurement & annotation overlays are saved on the image enabling both data and pictorial representation to be optimized.
Image Preview
The image can be previewed in real time with brightness & contrast being adjustable prior to image capture
Image Contrast & Brightness
After acquisition image contrast and brightness can be adjusted and the revised settings saved with the image.
Automatic Image Scaling During Acquisition
During the image capture the scaling of the image is automatically detected by I-SCAN and displayed in real time.
Built-in Database & Enhancement Software
I-SCAN is supplied with Image AXS image database system and Paint Shop Pro for easy image storage, retrieval and manipulation. Images can be saved as BMP, TIFF, TGA or JPG files for easy export and use in most applications.
Network and Email Capabilities
The I-SCAN PC is fitted with network and modem connections for email and networking options.
Installation
Installation of I-SCAN is very simple and can be completed within one day including customer training.
Minimum PC Requirements (if supplying own PC)
Pentium III 500,256MB RAM, 32MB graphics card, 17” monitor For a demonstration or to learn how I-SCAN may be interfaced with the Alicona MeX package of SEM stereo imaging software, contact ISS by clicking here.