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Particle Analysis |
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Introduction
The Particle Analysis module is an option for NanoRule+™
SPM analysis software and is used for identifying and analyzing
particles. There are several provisions for identifying particles.
Once identified, many parameters including area,
perimeter, height, and length may be calculated. Several
options are available for reporting the results from the particle
analysis software option.
A particle is defined as a surface entity which is spatially
defined as an individual unit. A critical issue for successful
particle counting is to distinguish the particles from the
image background or "Segmentation". The method
employed for detecting segments is called "Threshold
Segmentation". As the name indicates, the key requirement
for detecting particles is to set a proper threshold level in
the Z scale.
The five steps required for counting grains in an image are:
Step1: Prepare Your Image
Step2: Select Grain Analysis Function
Step3: Set The Threshold
Step4: Search and Count Grains
Step5: Report Grain Analysis Results
Step 1: Prepare Your Image
To prepare for particle analysis, an image must be leveled. Because the method we use for counting is "Threshold
Segmentation", a leveled image produces a better particle counting result. The standard NanoRule+™ software leveling
functions are used to create an image for particle analysis.
Step 2: Select Particle Analysis Function
The Particle Analysis function can be selected from menu Analysis->Particle Analysis or with the toolbar button.
When the Particle Analysis dialog box is opened, a highlighted
image is displayed. The highlighting is defined by a
pre-set threshold level and detection mode. The preset
threshold may not be optimized for the image, so you may
need to adjust this threshold.
Step 3: Set The Threshold
Particle Analysis Dialog Box: In the Particle Analysis Dialog
Box, if the Threshold check box is selected, a defined
threshold level is applied to the image.
Threshold Edit Window: The threshold window can be opened by clicking the "Edit" button in the Threshold group. An
image histogram is displayed. A red/green line in the histogram window indicates the current threshold level. The color
bar in the histogram has two regions with two different palettes. One is the original image palette, and one is a highlighted
palette.
• If "detect valley" is checked, the lower data range (lower color bar) is the highlighted range.
• In contrast, if "detect peaks" is checked, the higher range is the highlighted range.
Object counting is performed on this highlighted range. To get the optimal threshold level, a user can drag the red/green
line with a mouse. The image will be updated with the new threshold level immediately.
Palette: Click the "Palette" button to change the highlighted
palette. Either a palette or single color can be chosen.
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