Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany, launched the DCM8 for nondestructive 3D surface profiling. The instrument is a combined confocal and interferometric optical profiler and therefore provides the benefits of both technologies: high definition confocal microscopy for high lateral resolution and interferometry to reach sub-nanometer vertical resolution. Both techniques can be important for surface analysis of materials and components across numerous research and production environments. Surfaces that are made up of intricate structures with highly sloping areas demand lateral resolution of a few microns. In contrast to this, polished super-smooth surfaces with critical micro peaks and valleys require vertical analysis on the nanometer scale.
The instruments allows for meeting specific surface metrology needs—with lateral resolution up to 140 nm via confocal microscopy and vertical resolution of up to 0.1 nm with interferometry. According to the company, “The Leica DCM8 is a versatile and accurate profiler that saves time and money. Users do not have to swap instruments to observe and measure the same sample with confocal and interferometry technology. The user-friendly set-up and operation of the microscope saves effort and delivers accurate results quickly and conveniently.”
In order to achieve such high resolution and speed, the microscope employs confocal scanning technology without moving parts in the sensor head for enhanced reproducibility and stability. Switching between techniques is also fast and simple with only one mouse click required.
Christof Scherrer, IMPE, Winterthur, Switzerland, says: “We decided to buy the Leica DCM system due to its ability to operate as an optical microscope with brightfield, darkfield and confocal, as well as three interferometric modes. Flexibility is the most important factor for a diversified institute working in materials science such as ours.”
In addition to the different technologies for observation and analysis, the microscope is ideal for accurate color documentation of samples. A wide choice of high-quality Leica objectives together with four LED light sources—blue (460 nm), green (530 nm), red (630 nm), and white (centered 550 nm)—and an integrated CCD camera deliver true-to-life color images. The camera has a large field of view and the XY topography-stitching mode can be chosen to obtain a seamless, precise model of a larger area. The intuitive software enables users to simplify complicated 3D and 2D analyses and can be configured to their needs.
