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Developing Areal Surface Texture Measuring Standards


Olympus has announced that the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is using its LEXT OLS4000 in a project to establish good practice guidelines for the calibration of 3D/areal surface texture measuring instruments.


Instruments capable of providing areal surface texture information, such as the Olympus LEXT OLS4000 confocal microscope, are becoming increasingly popular, but currently lack any traceability routes. As a result, ISO standards are being prepared by a team led by Prof Richard Leach, Principal Research Scientist at the NPL.


As an important component of these standards, Professor Leach’s team is defining good practice guidelines using archetypal examples of: stylus instruments; white light interferometers; focus variation instruments; and confocal microscopes.


The project will use a range of artefacts to characterise the scaling, linearity, orthogonality, angular response, repeatability and resolution of the X, Y and Z axes. The LEXT OLS4000 is being used by Prof Leach’s team as the archetypical confocal instrument, although the guide will not be specific to the Olympus instrument.


As well as enabling the generation of good practice guides, the project will also define the reference areal artefacts to be used during calibration. Once the project is complete, users of areal surface measurement instruments will be able to obtain a calibration ‘bento’ box with the guidelines and artefacts to ensure better accuracy both within and between instruments and projects.


Circle no. 209 Circle no. 210


Image Contest Off to a Successful Start


More than 70 users of Zeiss electron and ion microscopes from all over the world have submitted their nano masterpieces to the first ever Carl Zeiss Nano Image Contest. The current voting record of the overall competition is held by Peter Nirmalraj from Trinity College Dublin.


A heart formed of polymers, a tuberculosis bacterium camouflaged as an exotic blossom and a dragon made of a magnesium-titanium compound: it is often hard to tell whether the entries to the Carl Zeiss Nano Image Contest are artistically structured paintings or photos taken under the microscope.


More than 70 researchers from around


the globe are currently presenting their fascinating nano masterpieces to the general public in an online contest. Many visitors to the website have already used the opportunity to vote for their favorite image.


To date, not only classical black-and-white photos but also several stained microscope images have been submitted. Most of the images received until now belong to the category of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while fewer have been entered in the categories of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and helium ion microscopy (HIM). Therefore, more photos from these areas would be particularly welcome. Peter Nirmalraj from Trinity College Dublin is the current leader in the overall competition.


The website is available for voting until 12 September in order to give voters the opportunity to upload images not submitted until the latter part of the submission period. The winners of the four categories will each receive a pair of cinemizer Plus video glasses from 12 September Carl Zeiss.


Circle no. 211 Photo Contest Makes a Return


The Ocean Optics Photo Contest is back, and it’s bigger than ever. This year the competition has been expanded to place a special emphasis on videos. The contest is open to all customers, partners, distributors and advocates of Ocean Optics. This is an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge with the entire world.


The most innovative, entertaining and educational submissions will win prizes, including grand prizes for both the Video and Photo Contest, and five honourable mentions. Entries must be received by 31st October 2010. Entries will be posted periodically, and all will be posted by 10th November. That way, all entrants can check out the competition and see their pictures and videos live and in action


Circle no. 213


Colour Microscope Cameras with Advanced Editing Software


Three new color camera models from Aven, Inc upgrade any microscope with one-click image capture and storage capability. The scientific-grade imaging systems include software with extensive options for user-defined processing, measurement and analysis. Two CMOS models and a high-end CCD version support versatile applications in biotechnology research, medical labs and science education. Each shoots in still or video mode.


The accompanying software, released recently as version 7.0 of a leading image processing program, allows measurement, annotation, colour change, contrast manipulation, stripping, reversal, dithering and other advanced editing to optimise image quality for varied needs.


Each camera attaches easily to any trinocular port. A USB 2.0 interface connects to desktop or laptop computers. CMOS models have 1.3 or 3.0 megapixel resolution, with 1/3" or 1/2" colour sensor chips, respectively. White balance and exposure control can be automatic or adjusted manually. An electronic rolling shutter shoots 11 to 30 frames per second, depending on resolution. Accessories provided include a calibration scale, six-foot USB high-speed cable, C-mount adapter and two eyepiece mount adapters.


For low-light microscopy, Aven offers a 3.3 megapixel CCD model suited to fluorescence or dark field imaging. With high-quality colour reproduction over a wide range of light conditions, this camera's 1/1.8" Sony CCD Sensor chip makes it ideal for advanced clinical, ophthalmic, scientific and materials analysis applications. Features include programmable gain, sub-windowing and region-of-interest selection. Shutter speed range is 5 to 30 frames per second. The software CD, compatible with Windows XP and Vista, also is included.


These functions can be performed via a familiar Windows interface, with a choice of horizontal toolbar or vertical menu shortcuts. The CD includes a 55-page illustrated User Guide with image processing steps.


Circle no. 212


INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 - MICROSCOPY & MICROTECHNIQUES


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