TRIP REPORT TO (Sanitized) OBSERVE THE WORKING PROTOTYPE OF A NEW RECORDING AND PROGRAMMING MICRO-DENSITOMETER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A002100040039-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 28, 2001
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: September 24, 1962
• Content Type: MF

Approved For ,ase 20&i46/'47 CIA-RDP78BO4747 2&040039-3
24 September 1962
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Technical Plans and Development Staff l. -
THROUGH Chief, Technical Development Branch rAiik1C-4
SUBJECT : Trip Report to
to Observe the Working Prototype of a New Recording
and Programming Micro-Densitometer
1. On 18 September 1962 at 11:00 AM, I arrived-at the
25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
a
In company with
to demonstrate their newly designed nine inch square stage micro-
densitometer. This instrument was planned and constructed with first
considerations of it performing certain precision linear measurements
in (X,Y) coordinates not possible with their ultra-precision optical
measuring instruments.
2. In working with this new recording micro-densitometer, I
found that it is possible to scan automatically with a. one-micro cir-
cula.r spot ar..y diagonal or (X~Y) coordinates on a 92 inch wide aerial
type film.
3. They have plans for providing ta.keup reels for 92 inch film
on either end. of the stage. A substage microscope fitted with a. zoom-
type ocular system (6 to 60X) is used to observe and focus the area
being scanned..
4. A small projected spot of light above the stage strikes the
top surface of the transparency three inches to the left of the axis
of the scanning microscope. By observing the image by substage flour-
escent light, the operator may move the point located by the projected
spot an accurately measured distance to the right for positioning his
point of scan.
5. The specifications of this instrument are nearer to the one
desired for the TSB program than any existing micro-densitometer.
DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
25X1A
25X1A
EXGILLo'C!
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6. In conference with the gentlemen mentioned above until 1810
hours, we discussed various methods of micro-densitometer construction.
Their opinions of the micro-densitometer used as a linear measuring
device and improvements in fabricating other similar instruments will
be noted on a separate sheet attached to this report.
0
25X1A
0
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ATTACHMENT TO TRIP REPORT
28 September 1962
During the conference with officials of the 25X1A
following points of their new micro-densitometer-or-"the=Data-Ul1e 25X1A
Microanalyzer" were discussed.
1. The working instrument the had on display con- 25X1A
sisted of two parts. The sensing uni , weigh ng about 2000pounds,
occupied about four by six feet of floor space. The recording unit,
weighing about 600 pounds, connected to the sensing unit by cable,
took up about thirty by forty inches of floor space. This recorder
unit had a. pul;sating feature which penned an exact unit of measurement
on the paper chart adjacent to the film density trace. This measure-
ment indication varies automatically with any change of scanning speed.
The recording unit is fitted with a, programmed memory system.
Similar trace patterns could be redrawn at a later date and matched
with known or unknown future signals of the same area. They explained
that this can be used in aerial photography as part of the soil erosion
control program. This memory system can also be used in certain crop
control areas of the United States. Micro-densitometer tracings across
aerial photos of farm areas identify the type of crop and indicate
whether it is of sparce or of heavy growth.
2. They rule out using a slit aperture for purposes of linear
measurement. When scanning in any of the X, Y, or diagonal coordinates,
any size slit results in inconsistent, inaccurate readings. They pre-
fer to make available a series of five or six snap-in diaphrams, each
with a particular size of circular aperture, the smallest of which will
be one micron. Several diaphrams with precut slits will be supplied
as needed for other analyses.
3. The understage microscope with the zoom-type ocular (6x to
60X) provides for a photomicrographic attachment. With the 6X magni-
fication an approximately three-quarters of an inch area of the scan
line can be photographed.
1-. By directing a two-inch ring of less than 10 pounds of air
pressure directly on the transparency, the film is forced flat enough
to eliminate the use of a cover glass. The supply of this air comes
from a large cylinder of moisture filtered nitrogen gas which serves
very well for about two weeks duration with average every day inter-
mittant use.
5. They have another system along the same line of thought but
with a counter-:stream of air from the top and one from the bottom of
the stage around the optic system. The film is supported between
these apposing air blasts there-by eliminating all glass at the stage
g tuq'1
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 level. They claim that by regulating the pressure of air on both
surfaces of the transparency, with slightly more pressure on the top
surface, the :Image can be kept at a very critical focus over distances
in excess of thirty inches in all coordinates. Their tests indicate
that more stability and accuracy of focus can be maintained across
that length of area than any other means of glass support. They named
these systems the single or double "air puck system."
6. Other known applications of their micro-densitometer as re-
lating to photo data assessment were discussed as part of their sales
pitch.
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To measure distance between portions of the image, the shape of
the image detail will influence the choice of the aperture. Measurement
of small images for density levels and assessment of uniformity of the
image require a. small circular aperture. Transparent samples such as
original negative, positive projection transparency or a color trans-
parency, and reflection samples such as paper prints, printon and the
like, can be measured. In basic optical forms, these methods of
measuring density are similar to that used in macro-or large area
densitometry, where areas using a. 4, 5 or 7 mm aperture are sometimes
used.
It can be used as a acutance test in the study of the image
recording capabilities of the photographic processes. This micro-
densitometer is used to draw the density-distance curves over "knife
edge" exposures in performing these tests.
In resolving power analyses, samples are exposed to the typical
bar pattern or the newer sine-wave patterns used for resolution or
resolving powe:- tests. A slit aperture is generally utilized for
this application.
In granularity analyses the output curve is a plot of the ran-
dom density fluctuations that are due to the silver grains in the
emulsion (use a. small circular aperture).
As a measuring instrument it is used for the measuring of star
images and evaluating intesity in astronomical photography. In aerial
photography it is used in the measurement of small distances for
scaling and mapping problems. It is used to measure optical density
of small microE.copic samples, it evaluates samples of photographic
materials where the recorded image is of importance.
It is used in ballistic photography and schlieren techniques.
It measures distances between transients in the photographic record of
a CRT output. It evaluates records made by cathode ray tube photo-
graphy.
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In photometry it is used for measuring densities of small images
in order to assess the brightness of the object in the original scene.
In graphic arts it is used for studying dot structure in half-
tone work, dot size, size growth, density gradients, etc.
It is used as an optical system for automatic bank check
clearing.
The instrument is used to study ink characteristics and deposi-
tion on actual type faces and halftone plates.
The applications of this micro-densitometer are unlimited. The
imagination of the operator could very well be the limiting factors for
this instrument.
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Approv
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