Pattern recognition in autoradiography

Application to the fast acting digital computers and the technical means of signals treatment allowed to spread the possibilities and resolution of activation autoradiography. Analysis of autoradiographic features is connected with the elucidation of the optical distribution of the exposed and treated photoemulsion used as detector of the secondary beta irradiation. In this report the possibilities of the digital image processing by the autoradiographic investigations of impurity and component distributions in the oxide crystals are shown. Identification of radionuclides and the qualitative evaluation of their contents were conducted by gamma spectrum of specimens irradiated by neutrons. The treatment of autoradiograms was conducted with the help of the dialogue system having matrix in 512x512 elements. For the interpretation data clustering analysis methodology was used. Classification of zones on the minimum of the squares was conducted according to the data of histograms of the optical densities of the studying autoradiograms. It was proposed algorithm of digital treatment for reconstruction of autoradiographic features. At a minimal contrast the resolution of the method has been enhanced on degree by adaptation of the methods of digital image processing (DIP) to suppress background activity. (author)