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1. Double-click the IMS icon (Figure 1). IMS initializes the instrument, tests instrument comunications, home the pusher arm of the motion control system and verify Dark and Light Calibration images. For more information refer to the XMSL User Guide.

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Figure 1.- IMS icon.

2. Prior to imaging cores, especially at the start of an expedition, the user must:

Test the exposure parameters in the imaging utility (Go to Imaging Utility Section).

Set the exposure parameters in the Measurement Editor (DAQ > Measurement Editor).

Adjust the automatic image processing settings (Image Processing Secion)

NOTE: Ask the PP technitian to help you with these steps.

• Set exposure parameters

1. Select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the IMS panel menu. This window allows the user to view and adjust the XMSL Data Acquisition (DAQ) parameters (Figure 2).
   1. Interval: Number of centimeters the core will move between each image. This value is hardcoded in the IMS software and cannot be changed in this window. This interval guarantees image overlap and maximizes system efficiency. Default interval is set at 12 cm.
   2. Width: Fixed length of the image produced. This value is dependent on the detector and hardware setup. Each image is 15 cm in length, but due to projection, we see less than 15 cm of the core section in the image.
   3. Stack: Number of x-radiographs taken at each position. These images are stacked and averaged to produce the final raw image. Twenty images is the standard as stacking more images does not appear to improve the image quality further. See the User Guide, Image Stacking section for more explanation.
   4. Exposure Time: The duration of each exposure in milliseconds.
   5. kV: X-ray tube voltage. Maximum voltage for the source is 120 kV. Lowering the voltage while maintaining the number of x-rays penetrating the core (longer exposure or higher current) will increase image contrast.
   6. mA: X-ray tube current. Maximum current for the source is 1 mA. Increasing the current will increase contrast if voltage is kept constant.

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Figure 2.- XMSL Measurement Editor Window.

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2. Once the parameters are set click 'Accept Changes'. To revert any changes back to the original settings click 'Cancel Changes'.

• Making a Measurement

1. Place section in the core tray. Make sure the section is oriented blue endcap towards the X-Ray source (Figure 3).

Figure 3.- Correct core position.

1. Select the Core Status (left side of window) that matches the type of core being imaged

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