Automatic counting of fission tracks in apatite and muscovite using image processing

One of the major difficulties of automatic track counting using photomicrographs is separating overlapped tracks. We address this issue combining image processing algorithms such as skeletonization, and we test our algorithm with several binarization techniques. The counting algorithm was successfully applied to determine the efficiency factor GQR, necessary for standardless fission-track dating, involving counting induced tracks in apatite and muscovite with superficial densities of about $6 \times 10^5$ tracks/$cm^2$.

Segmentation of nearly isotropic overlapped tracks in photomicrographs using successive erosions as watershed markers

The major challenges of automatic track counting are distinguishing tracks and material defects, identifying small tracks and defects of similar size, and detecting overlapping tracks. Here we address the latter issue using WUSEM, an algorithm which combines the watershed transform, morphological erosions and labeling to separate regions in photomicrographs. WUSEM shows reliable results when used in photomicrographs presenting almost isotropic objects. We tested this method in two datasets of diallyl phthalate (DAP) photomicrographs and compared the results when counting manually and using the classic watershed. The mean automatic/manual efficiency ratio when using WUSEM in the test datasets is 0.97 +/- 0.11.

Jansen-MIDAS: a multi-level photomicrograph segmentation software based on isotropic undecimated wavelets

Image segmentation, the process of separating the elements within an image, is frequently used for obtaining information from photomicrographs. However, segmentation methods should be used with reservations: incorrect segmentation can mislead when interpreting regions of interest (ROI), thus decreasing the success rate of additional procedures. Multi-Level Starlet Segmentation (MLSS) and Multi-Level Starlet Optimal Segmentation (MLSOS) were developed to address the photomicrograph segmentation deficiency on general tools. These methods gave rise to Jansen-MIDAS, an open-source software which a scientist can use to obtain a multi-level threshold segmentation of his/hers photomicrographs. This software is presented in two versions: a text-based version, for GNU Octave, and a graphical user interface (GUI) version, for MathWorks MATLAB. It can be used to process several types of images, becoming a reliable alternative to the scientist.

An automatic method for segmentation of fission tracks in epidote crystal photomicrographs

Manual identification of fission tracks has practical problems, such as variation due to observer-observation efficiency. An automatic processing method that could identify fission tracks in a photomicrograph could solve this problem and improve the speed of track counting. However, separation of non-trivial images is one of the most difficult tasks in image processing. Several commercial and free softwares are available, but these softwares are meant to be used in specific images. In this paper, an automatic method based on starlet wavelets is presented in order to separate fission tracks in mineral photomicrographs. Automatization is obtained by Matthews correlation coefficient, and results are evaluated by precision, recall and accuracy. This technique is an improvement of a method aimed at segmentation of scanning electron microscopy images. This method is applied in photomicrographs of epidote phenocrystals, in which accuracy higher than 89% was obtained in fission track segmentation, even for difficult images. Algorithms corresponding to the proposed method are available for download. Using the method presented here, an user could easily determine fission tracks in photomicrographs of mineral samples.