A new automated image analysis system for counting neutron-induced fission fragment tracks in mica solid-state track recorders (SSTRs) has been developed and is in use at the Westinghouse Research and Development Center. This computer-controlled optical microscope uses state-of-the-art image enhancement and pattern recognition techniques to identify tracks. Track pile-up corrections have been eliminated for track densities up to 8 × 10⁵ tracks/cm².

The system has been absolutely calibrated to better than 2% uncertainty in the track density range from 1 × 10⁴ tracks/cm² to 8 × 10⁵ tracks/cm². The track counting efficiency is independent of local track density variations over this range.

Key scanning parameters are stored on a microscope field of view by field of view basis and form a part of the long-term Quality Assurance records for SSTR analysis.