EVEN the best cameras with the highest quality optics and sensors are limited by the dynamic range of what they can record, and this feature is especially noticeable in high-contrast images. This can be a problem in microscopy applications where in-depth analysis is needed on high-contrast samples.
Olympus Stream 1.7 resolved the overexposed (A) and underexposed (B) images of this metallographic sample to create a composite image (C) showing detail of oxidation
Olympus says it has gone some way to solving this problem with the launch of the latest version of its Stream software. Olympus Stream 1.7 incorporates high dynamic range (HDR) algorithms to create final images with optimised contrast, with both the brightest and darkest sections of the specimen viewable in a single image.
The software automatically acquires a number of images with different exposure times, merging sections of these together to produce a final image collated from the best parts of the series. Aimed at applications including the inspection of composite materials, circuit boards, and metallic microstructures, the resulting images deliver sharp detail across the brightness range of the sample.
Olympus Stream software is available in four versions and includes advanced functions such as Extended Focal Imaging (EFI) and Multiple Image Alignment (MIA) to optimise microscope images.