Optical measurement: NPL buys new equipment

The NPL is the Uk's National Testing Laboratory. It is a centre of excellence in terms of accuracy in the development and application of measurement standards. In this context, Alicona is proud to announce that it has installed its^3rd InfiniteFocus system dedicated to materials analysis in this renowned establishment. The partnership between Alicona and the NPL began in 2007 when the advanced materials department acquired its first InfiniteFocus G3; this first acquisition was followed by the purchase of an InfiniteFocus G4 system in 2009.

Because both systems are already being used extensively and their utilization rates continue to increase, the NPL decided to acquire the latest InfiniteFocus G5 in 2014. This system, thanks to the increase in its acquisition speed and improved performance, will provide an increased measurement capacity to this highly sought-after metrology centre.

Department head Eric Bennett said: "We have been using optical 3D measurement for many years. The Alicona system offers significant advantages, especially in the characterization of small geometries over a large surface. The resolution, which now drops to 10nm, allows an analysis of structures and defects on a very fine scale. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to the flexibility and ease of use of the system, we can allow our users open access to systems with minimal user training, which means greater productivity within the group. Finally, the ability to measure both roughness and form on the same system is a great advantage for us. »

The InfiniteFocus is an optical micro MMT that measures shape and roughness on the basis of the principle of focal variation. This technique can achieve a vertical resolution of up to 10 nm over large areas and in large volumes of measurement. The system performs repeatable measurements and provides connected results. Operators benefit from a system that offers the advantages of a coordinate measurement system with those of a profileometer allowing to measure shape and roughness on a single system.

Find out more: www.alicona.com