Samples can be virtually any size or configuration and the equipment is portable, so that samples need not be removed from an installed location if the immediate area can be cleared of people and equipment that might be damaged by radiation. This can be done on weekends if needed. Dynamic range and resolution are not as good as those for images produced on film. Other limitations include events that can be covered by a 16 in.-diameter image intensifier and where radiation of sufficient energy and intensity is available. The same limitations exist as optical for resolution and frame rate.
Setup is straightforward, requiring only a few minutes.
This image is recorded with a video camera. The video camera used in this system can be a standard 30 frame per second unit or a high-speed video device capable of producing up to 2000 full frames or 12000 partial frames per second. Two systems can be operated with the radiation axes normal to each other to allow tracing movement in three dimensions. Image enhancement systems are available that are capable of processing the video signal in real time. Image enhancement improves image quality by averaging frames, performing edge sharpening operations, modifying brightness and contrast.