Coatings analysis and layer thickness gauging have historically required lab technicians to view samples through a microscope, often making subjective visual measurements and then writing down those measurement values by hand. LayerTech, a software package and imaging system from Resolution Technology Inc., simplifies the process and helps reduce the potential for errors in data recording. The former is accomplished by allowing users to make measurements in images of their samples instead of making measurements while looking through the eyepieces. The latter is accomplished by automatically recording the thickness values to an Excel spreadsheet instead of hand recording values for a later data-entry process.
LayerTech can be a stand-alone software application capable of measurement on stored images acquired from an existing microscope and camera setup, as long as proper calibration information can be derived. Ideally, it is provided as a complete system, including a microscope, camera, calibration standard(s), imaging software, and personal computer. The system is not hardware specific, so camera and microscope choices can be made according to application requirements and budgetary constraints.