Development of numerical analysis program of laser microscope data

A scanning laser microscope is a useful tool for obtaining 3-D images of damaged contact surfaces. This apparatus is also applicable for numerical analysis of the sample surfaces. The useful comparison data of contact surface damages, e.g., size of pips and craters formed on the contact surfaces, can be easily obtained. However, specific software accompanying the apparatus to control its operations is also required to be used for processing data obtained, which leads to disadvantage in terms of usability and efficiency in evaluation. Moreover, the currently employed software cannot provide us with a precise volume value of a target portion when it is located on a tilted surface or on a curved surface, due to its calculation algorithm. Accordingly, we initiated development of our own data processing program for laser microscope data with C# language. A volume calculation function of a target portion including the one located on a tilted surface or on a distorted surface, based on a new calculation scheme, has been installed. In This work, these functions and some exemplary results obtained thereby, as well as some further development aims are briefly described.