Python Automation and Machine Learning for EM and ICs

The Python script (code) automates the process of detecting and visualizing differences between two grayscale images. It uses OpenCV’s matchTemplate function to efficiently locate the region in the larger image (page35a.png) that best matches the smaller reference image (page35b.png). Once the best-matching location is identified, the script extracts the corresponding region from the larger image and computes the absolute difference between it and the reference image. A binary threshold is applied to this difference to create a mask that highlights mismatched pixels. The mismatched areas are then overlaid in red on the reference image to clearly visualize discrepancies. Finally, the script saves three output images: one showing the match location, another highlighting the differences, and a third showing the binary difference mask. This tool is particularly useful for identifying defects, pattern mismatches, or alignment issues in imaging analysis tasks.