3D Digital vs Optical: Comparing The Two Microscope Tech for Surface Metrology

Surface measurement which is also known as Surface Metrology includes investigation of the texture, roughess, structural characterization, finish and shape of any precision surface. With the help of surface measurement, numerous functions can be controlled on manufactured products and mechanical components.

In order to obtain surface measurements, there are some common technologies applied which include interferometry, stylus profilers along with optical and 3D microscopy. Before you initiate your search for the best 3D microscope supplier, make sure to learn the differences between the two microscope techniques.

In this blog, we compare the optical microscope and 3D digital microscope to find out which one is more efficient for surface metrology. Keep on reading till the end to learn more.

3D Digital Microscopy

The use of 3D digital microscopy technique for the analysis of surface metrology can be seen in an extensive range of industrial sectors. In contrast to conventional metrology techniques with the help of a 3D digital microscope, users get measurements to quantify in a better way and differentiate surfaces that may exhibit identical or similar surface roughness values on average.

Ever since their original development in 1991, the parameters for 3D digital microscopy for surface measurements have been refined to incorporate spatial, amplitude, functional and hybrid measurements. The parameter of amplitude for 3D microscopy encompasses a variety of surface measurements such as the averages of both highest and lowest points on a sample surface, kurtosis, which is determined as a surface height distribution’s degree of peakedness and the root-mean-square of skewness and height distribution.

On the contrary, spatial parameters of a surface in 3D microscopy are instead based on the given frequencies of its characteristics like density and texture. Whereas, the parameters of a hybrid involve combination of both the height and frequency parameters and functional parameters instead focuses on the specified surface functions’ applicability.

Be sure to get in touch with expert 3D digital microscope exporters for acquiring best 3d microscopy solutions.

Optical Microscopy

Optical microscopy has several limitations for its use for surface metrology purposes. These include inability to develop 3D images and resulting in a deficient lateral resolution due to the utilized light wavelength by these imaging devices along with their tip geometry. Moreover, optical profilers can cause damage onto the sample surface because of their high force imaging.

Nonetheless, optical profilers are still used widely mainly for the purpose of assessing the surface roughness of various types of samples. This microscopy technique is based on interference technology that enables these devices to take measurements of the roughness of a sample’s surface with the support of light’s wavelength.

To be more precise, the wavelength properties are used for comparing the optical path difference between the surface of a sample and that of a reference surface. This helps in generating a precise measurement of not only the roughness of a sample’s surface, but also its shape and finish.

Some of the ultimate advantages of using optical microscopes for this purpose include accurate measurement capabilities, their feasibility to rapidly scan large areas and their no-contact imaging requirements. Because of these perks there are several different industries, some of which include data storage and optics, uses optical profiling for surface measurements.

Digital vs Optical Microscopy

Optical microscopy was developed initially in the 17th century and still today, the devices based on this technique are a gold standard in varied scientific industries. However, ever since their development, there have been numerous advancements in microscopy technology to boost resolution and ultimately result in advanced digital microscopy.

In comparison to optical microscopes, which are restricted to a single plane of focus on a sample, 3D digital microscopes have the capacity to scan through multiple focal planes of a given sample. Therefore, allowing users to create a focused 3D image. 

This helps researchers to visualize distinct features of a sample at a much greater depth of field. So, if you are looking for a 3D digital metrology microscope supplier then get in touch with Dutco Tennant LLC.