2- and 3-dimensional optical microscopy

3-dimensional surface imaging can be performed using tactile methods such as profilometry or atomic force microscopy (AFM), but also non-contact confocal laser microscopy.

Confocal Laser Microscopy

MicroscopyThe confocal laser microscope CLM enables the production of not only 2-dimensional but also 3-dimensional optical images of surfaces. The image is created by moving the very sharply defined focal plane vertically through the object. The lateral resolution is in the range of 1 μm, while the height resolution extends to a few nanometers. Within a few minutes, the method provides quantitative information on, amongst other things, the surface topography, roughness, step heights, pitch angles or particle sizes.

Rapid quantitative 3D information on surfaces

Compared to tactile profilometric methods, confocal laser microscopy is significantly faster and can also be used to image soft or unstable surfaces, such as polymers or powders. To a certain extent, it is also possible to measure through transparent cover layers and determine the layer thickness in this way. In addition to pure imaging, there are a variety of software tools available for obtaining the maximum amount of quantitative information from the 2- or 3-dimensional images.