Layer Thickness Measurement

The layer thickness measurement extension is designed to determine the thickness of single or multiple layers of cross-sectioned samples. The layer thicknesses are measured either perpendicular to neutral fibres or using the shortest distance. This means that during evaluation, the contours of arbitrarily shaped surfaces are tracked. Furthermore, the integrated neutral fibre method ensures that highly complex layer geometries can be measured and described as an orientation line throughout the course of the entire layer.

		Key Features
		Determination of the thickness of single and multiple layers of cross sectioned samples Support of perpendicular to neutral fibres Support of shortest distance Tracking the contours of arbitrarily shaped surfaces Neutral fibre method integrated Specifications: Description: Measures the thickness of single or multiple layers Measurement Types: Perpendicular to neutral fibres, shortest distance (curve types : line, polygone, interpolated polygone, automatic detection Report/OutputReport/Output: Spreadsheet (single measurement point values, statistics (max, min, mean, standard deviation)), Image with overlay (measurement lines)

	Settings The settings dialog box is opened simply by clicking on the ‘Layer Thickness’ icon, initiating the set-up process. This will prompt the user to define the neutral fibre as well as the contours of arbitrarily-shaped surfaces of single or multi layers using upper and lower borders. Layer boundaries can be specified using line segments, polygons, freehand polygons, curves or particle boundaries. The user can then decide if the measurement should run manually or automatically, including the number of counts. All settings can be saved and easily recalled, making frequently recurring experiments fast, convenient and efficient to perform. Several measurement modes are available, including the shortest distance, or perpendicular measurements.
	Execution After layer structure and measurement methods have been defined, the measuring process itself can be initiated by clicking on the ‘Automated Measurement’ icon in the settings dialog box. The measurement results are displayed on-screen and evaluation begins automatically. Further shapes can be added or deleted to existing or new images using the ‘Add Shape’ and ‘Delete Shape’ icons.
	Results All layer thickness measurements are listed automatically in a spreadsheet, together with a range of statistical parameters such as number of counts, maximum and minimum values, mean values, ranges, as well as standard and third standard deviations. The sheet lists the results of each layer as well as the combined results, respectively. A detailed evaluation checks whether or not the measurement values are within the pre-set, user defined tolerance range, and automatically marks it in the sheet.