Geological sample imaging method

Abstract

A geological sample imaging method 100 and system that scans 104 a geological core sample, such as rock or sediment, in a pre-determined lighting by a line scan camera to determine its brightness. An aperture automatically adjusts 108 to a target aperture 106 in response to sample brightness. A raw image is acquired 110 and processed to normalise the RGB components based on light and dark reference values and scans 112. The processed image is then output for analysis 114. Percentage reflectance data for each RGB component is generated and stored. The dark reference scan is acquired by the line scan camera in substantially zero light, with the lens cap on, and the light reference scan is acquired from a material with a pre-determined reflectivity. This may be updated in response to a change in the pre-determined lighting. Sensor noise is identified in the references and correspondingly cancelled in the raw image. The brightness of the sample is determined through comparison with light and dark references. [Figure 1]