Optic-electronic processing of ball elements images

The purpose of the current paper is to validate experimentally the possibility to combine optical and computer methods for image processing. The X-ray imaging is one of the most efficient methods for inspection of the nuclear fuel elements (NFE). X-rays pass through the inspected object and cause various degrees darkening of the film placed behind the object. The visual analysis of the x-ray images can not reveal all existing layers. If one could improve detectability of layers and interfaces between layers then the inspection efficiency would be improved. As the object for investigation we chose a black-and-white x-ray image of a micro-NFE. The analysis of the image was conducted by four methods. In the first method the image was illuminated in the standard way, the zirconium layer was not observed. In the second method the image was illuminated by 30 degrees inclined light beam. In this case the zirconium layer was observed. In the third method the image was processed using the computer program Femtoscan. The third zirconium layer was not observed. In the fourth method we sequentially used optical and computer X-ray image processing. The third zirconium layer was clearly observed. Thus, application of the both methods is desirable, the optical and the computer, for X-ray image processing. This provides the maximum effect.