Goto XY & Store XY
Probably the most obvious advantage of a
computer-controlled stepper motor stage is the
ability to store and retrieve XY coordinates. This is achieved through
the GotoXY and StoreXY features of the TriTek operating software.
Distance Measurements
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Through the use of a standard pointing device, on-screen
measurements are made quickly and easily. Simply point and click using
the mouse on areas to be measured and the microscopic distance is
displayed with horizontal, vertical, and hypotenuse definitions.
Density Calculations
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Once again, by using a standard pointing device,
on-screen measurements of "features-per-area", or density, are
made quickly and easily. Simply point and click using the mouse to
define the area to be measured and the features inside that area, and
the count, area, and density are displayed.
Rapid Scan
To rapidly scan large areas of a sample, one can invoke
one of several scan modes. The stage will be
moved in discrete increments initiated by the operator via mouse clicks,
or will step & repeat automatically under program control.
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Sample Rotation
Once the computer has control over the XY coordinates of
the stepper motor stage, the software can
correct for non-orthogonality of the sample. Theta-Correction algorithms
are employed to virtually align the sample with the stage XY coordinate
system.
Auto-Koehler
With computer control over the illumination iris
diaphragms and substage condensor, the koehler
settings for each objective lens can be stored and retrieved quickly and
"behind the scenes". When the system magnification is changed
by rotating the circum-ferous lens turret, the computer automatically
adjusts the iris diaphrgams and substage condensor height to optimize
illumination of the sample.
Auto-Focus
By taking advantage of advanced image
processing, the microscope can focus the sample automatically, and
quickly.
Analyzer/Polarizer Rotation
For determining rotational reflectance properties of
materials, the norm has been to insert polarizing filters in the
illumination and imaging paths and rotate the sample about the optical
axis. An alternative approach, rotating the polarizer (analyzer) in the
imaging path, was presented by Bensley & Crelling at the 1991
meeting for The Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP). Houseknecht and
Weesner described the application of this approach in their paper Rotational
reflectance of dispersed vitrinite from the Arkoma basin in 1996.
TriTek designers have developed a polarized light option that employs a
stepper motor controlled polarizer and analyzer where each can be
rotated independently or in synchronization under computer control.
Golden Sample Comparison
In the quality control arena, yields are of the utmost
importance. By displaying captured images of certified parts as a 'go /
no-go' gauge, comparison time can be dramatically decreased.
Voice Control
Whether your preference is simply verbal control or a
physical condition has affected your efficiency in manipulating pointing
devices, you can augment TriTek products with one of the standard voice
control products on the market. Any or all commands can be activated via
voice control.
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