Alternative automatic alignment method for specimen tilt-series images based on back-projected volume data cross-correlations

摘要

We devised a new automatic image alignment method for a specimen tilt series; this method is based on the volume data cross-correlation among 3-D cross-sections reconstructed from different sets of projection images (including a single image) for tilt-series alignment or tilt-axis search purposes. This method requires neither markers nor image feature points traceable through the tilt series, and it was examined through simulations and applied to biological thin sections. The method automatically aligned tilt series centred at the correctly detected tilt axis with a precision sufficient for practical applications.