New framework for nanoindentation curve fitting and measurement uncertainty estimation

Abstract

Uncertainty quantification is a vital component of any measurement process and is indispensable for comparing results obtained by different methods, instruments, or laboratories. The processing of the measured data often relies on fitting the data by a given function. Common methods such as ordinary nonlinear least squares are not capable of treating general uncertainties and correlations in both dependent and independent variables. A new computation method for nonlinear curve fitting to data with a general covariance structure is introduced. This method is applied to the Oliver-Pharr analysis of unloading curves and differences between different regression methods are addressed. Numerical simulations show that the new method yields parameter estimates in agreement with other methods for simple covariance structures. The obtained uncertainty estimates are in agreement with Monte Carlo studies.