Profilometry Technique Research Articles

Three-dimensional scanning electron microscopy used as a profilometer for the surface characterization of polyethylene-coated paperboard

Abstract In food packaging, low-density polyethylene (PE) coating is applied to paperboards to act as a functional barrier and to provide the smoothness required to enhance printability. These characteristics are related to the material’s surface roughness, the parameter monitored during the manufacturing process. Measurement of surface roughness using optical profilometry has gained importance in the paper industry. The optical instruments used to measure surface roughness are limited spatially by the relationship with the light wavelength at which they operate. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is an alternative for overcoming the spatial resolution limitation, and the use of stereo-photogrammetry on SEM images can be seen as an alternative profilometry technique to measure surface roughness. In this investigation, the surface topography of industrially manufactured high-quality PE-coated paperboard was studied, comparing the SEM stereo-photogrammetry technique with a reference profilometry method, i. e., chromatic confocal microscopy (CCM). We found close agreement between the calculated surface roughness and the results of the techniques used and compared them according to the new ISO 25178 Geometric Product Specifications. We concluded that SEM stereo-photogrammetry provides comparable accurate alternative profilometry method for characterizing the surface roughness of PE-coated paperboard in the micrometer scale.

High‐Sensitivity Profilometry for Measurement of Multilayer Structure with Low‐Coherence Composite Interferometer

AbstractHigh‐sensitivity profilometry provides valuable tools for measurement of the surface structure of a device. On the other hand, tomographic techniques such as ultrasound imaging or optical coherence tomography can be used to measure the inner structure of a device with micrometer resolution. However, the multilayer structure of a device such as a display panel cannot be measured with nanometer sensitivity using conventional profilometry and tomographic techniques. For this purpose, a new type of profilometry based on the technique of low‐coherence composite interferometer is proposed and demonstrated. With the phase compensation mechanism of the technique, phase fluctuation resulted from the instability of scanning component and environment can be significantly reduced and a high axial sensitivity can be achieved. The technique is demonstrated by measuring nine interfaces of a display panel with a displacement sensitivity of 11.73 nm without requiring any preknowledge on the structure and has the potential to become a new technique for inspecting the multilayer structure of a packaged device in industry.

Accuracy assessment of fringe projection profilometry and digital image correlation techniques for three-dimensional shape measurements

With ever-increasing demand for three-dimensional (3D) imaging and shape measurements in a variety of fields, measurement accuracy has become of vital importance to numerous scientific and engineering applications. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the accuracy comparison of two prevalent 3D imaging and shape measurement methods: fringe projection profilometry (FPP) and 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) techniques. A detailed description of their principles reveals their inherent similarities and fundamental differences. A measurement system composed of both techniques is employed in the study, and a test target with speckle checkerboard patterns on its surface is adopted to allow simultaneous FPP and 3D-DIC measurements. The evaluation puts emphasis on how the geometric angles between key hardware components affect the 3D measurement accuracy. Experiments show that the depth and height measurements of both techniques can reach sub-micron accuracy, and the relative accuracy of the 3D shape or position measurements can reach 1/600 000.

An evaluation of solid-state electrolyte based on pectin and lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide for lithium-ion batteries

In this era, surviving Li-ion batteries is power-driven by various solid electrolytes, focusing majorly on lithium polymer electrolytes. A huge challenge in finding an electrolyte with the highest and stable ionic conductivity is on the process. In this connection, the present study aims in preparing a solid electrolyte using lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide (LiTFSI) doped in host Pectin (biopolymer) by solution casting technique. The prepared solid polymer electrolyte was characterized using XRD, FT-IR Spectrophotometer, TG/DTA, and 3D Optical Laser Profilometry techniques. The ionic conductivity was determined using an AC Impedance spectroscopy. The results obtained revealed the interaction between the polymer and the LiTFSI. The electrolyte was found to be amorphous and the optical profilometry showed the average roughness which was stable at elevated temperatures. The conductivity of the electrolyte was found to be at a higher order. Thus, the prepared solid polymer electrolyte system may be suitable for greater energy outputs with improved safety.

Optical-topological concepts in isomorphisms projecting bi-Ronchi masks to obtain 3D profiles from objects in 2D images.

We introduce a technique for obtaining three-dimensional (3D) profiles of objects captured in two-dimensional (2D) flat images (FI). This technique performs a numerical approximation of the object's topography from their image gray tones, analyzing topological concepts such as algebraic bases construction, metric functions in terms of such bases, as well as modeling and development of an isomorphism to project masks (fringe patterns) in the FI, allowing us to use the optimal 3D profilometry techniques. Among these techniques, phase shifting (four steps) is applied in the pattern shifts of the projected masks, but with a 2D shift from left to right and from top to bottom, simultaneously. Moreover, the fringe patterns in the masks are binary and with superposed periods in x, y (bi-Ronchi). We show the results of the construction of the masks, as well as their projection into the FIs. We also show the 3D profilometry of the objects after the projection and phase-shifting application and a simple segmentation to observe a particular object. Subsequently, we perform the analysis of a single Mg crystal's micrography.

Comparative Effects of CPP-ACP and Xylitol F-Varnishes on the Reduction of Tooth Erosion and Its Progression.

Evaluated the effect of CPP-ACP/NaF and xylitol/NaF varnishes in reduce erosion and progression of erosion. Forty enamel blocks were divided into four groups (n=10): G1=CPP-ACP/NaF varnish (MI varnishTM); G2=xylitol/NaF varnish (Profluorid®); G3=NaF varnish (Duraphat®, positive control) and G4=deionized water (MilliQ®, negative control). Samples were immersed in Sprite ZeroTM (pH 2.58, 4x/day, 3 days), in between immersions, the specimens stayed in artificial saliva. After 3 days of erosion, the eroded area was divided in two (half of one received an additional varnish layer while the other half repeated the same 3-day erosion cycle). The 3D, non-contact profilometry technique was used to determinate tooth structure loss (TSL) and surface roughness (SR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D images were utilized to evaluate the topography of the samples. Mann-Whitney, one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were used (significance level of 0.05%). SEM and 3D images were descriptively evaluated. After 3 or 6 days of erosion, all tested varnishes were better than G4 (p<0.05) for TSL and SR. In addition, G1 had lower values for TSL than G3 (p<0.05) after 3 days of erosion. Under SEM and 3D images observation, all groups presented porosity, irregularities and depressions on the surface enamel after 3 and 6 days of erosion, more pronounced in G4. An application of topical NaF varnishes was effective in reducing TSL and enamel roughness after erosion challenges, being the CCP-ACP/NaF varnish more effective than NaF varnish and water after 3 days of erosion.

Continuous Monitoring of Fluvial Dike Breaching by a Laser Profilometry Technique

AbstractA nonintrusive, high‐resolution laser profilometry technique (LPT) has been developed for continuous monitoring of the three‐dimensional (3‐D) evolving breach in laboratory models of noncohesive fluvial dikes. This simple and low‐cost setup consists of a commercial digital video camera and a sweeping red diode 30 mW laser projecting a sheet over the dike. The 2‐D image coordinates of each deformed laser profile incident on the dike are transformed into 3‐D object coordinates using the direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithm. All 3‐D object coordinates computed over a laser sweeping cycle are merged to generate a cloud of points describing the instantaneous surface. The DLT‐based image processing algorithm uses control points and reference axes, so that no prior knowledge is needed on the position, orientation, and intrinsic characteristics of the camera, nor on the laser position. Because the dike is partially submerged, ad hoc refraction correction has been developed. Algorithms and instructions for the implementation of the LPT are provided. Reconstructions of a dike geometry with the LPT and with a commercial laser scanner are compared in dry conditions. Using rigid dike geometries, the repeatability of the measurements, the refraction correction, and the dike reconstruction have been evaluated for submerged conditions. Two laboratory studies of evolving fluvial dike breaching due to flow overtopping have been conducted to demonstrate the LPT capabilities and accuracy. The LPT has advantages in terms of flexibility and spatiotemporal resolution, but high turbidity and water surface waves may lead to inaccurate geometry reconstructions.

Comparative assessment of the surface topography for different optical profilometry techniques after dry turning of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy

This paper presents comparison analysis of the surface texture properties measured by a Sensofar S Neox 3D optical profilometer, an Alicona Infinite Focus SL optical measuring system and a digital Keyence VHX-6000 microscope on the example of assessing of the Ti6Al4V titanium alloy surface after finish turning under dry machining conditions. 2D and 3D surface parameters were analyzed and surface profiles and average percentage changes in parameters tested are demonstrated. Different measurement areas were used. Measuring differences of up to ~30% were observed between methods tested. In the 2D mode, the best possibilities are offered smaller measuring areas as observed for Alicona Infinite Focus SL and Keyence VHX-6000. In the 3D mode, larger measuring areas for Sensofar S Neox 3D provides better options compared to smaller measuring areas for Alicona Infinite Focus SL. Surface profiles analyses using the Sensofar S Neox 3D and Keyence VHX-600 show similar results.

Lauryl Gallate Activity and Streptococcus mutans: Its Effects on Biofilm Formation, Acidogenicity and Gene Expression.

Streptococcus mutans bacterium is implicated in the pathogenesis of dental caries due to the production of biofilm and organic acids from dietary sucrose. Despite the availability of various means of prophylaxis, caries still has a high worldwide prevalence. Therefore, it is important to find new pharmaceuticals to inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation and acidogenicity. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the activity of lauryl gallate (dodecyl gallate) against S. mutans acidogenicity, the expression of biofilm-associated genes, and biofilm development on solid surfaces (polystyrene, glass). The biofilm quantities produced by S. mutans bacteria were assessed using colorimetric and optical profilometry techniques. Acidogenicity was evaluated by measuring the pH of the biofilm growth medium with microelectrode. Assessment of the expression of gene coding for glucan-binding protein B (gbpB), glucosyltranferases B, -C, -D (gtfB, -C, -D), and the F-ATPase β subunit of F1 protein (atpD) was carried out using a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results demonstrate the capacity of lauryl gallate to significantly inhibit S. mutans acidogenicity and biofilm development on solid surfaces, in a dose-dependent manner, compared to untreated bacteria (p < 0.05). The highest activity of lauryl gallate occurred at a concentration of 98.98 µM, at which it suppressed biofilm formation by 100% and lowered pH levels by 98%. The effect of lauryl gallate treatment on gene expression changes, as demonstrated by our RT-qPCR data, was limited to the gtfD gene only, was a significant (48%) decrease in gene expression, obtained for the biofilm-producing bacteria, while a 300% increase in fold change for the same gene occurred in the planktonic cells. It is important to note that in previous studies we showed a broader effect of related derivatives. However, a similar magnitude of difference in effects between biofilm and planktonic cells for the atpD gene was obtained after treatment with octyl gallate and reverse magnitude for the same gene after treatment with ethyl gallate. Therefore, to ascertain the possible direct or indirect effects of lauryl gallate, as well as octyl gallate and ethyl gallate, more research is needed to examine the effects on the amount of enzymes and on the enzymatic activity of the products of the affected genes that are involved in the production and maintenance of biofilm by S. mutans.

Single-Shot 3D Shape Reconstruction Using Structured Light and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks.

Single-shot 3D imaging and shape reconstruction has seen a surge of interest due to the ever-increasing evolution in sensing technologies. In this paper, a robust single-shot 3D shape reconstruction technique integrating the structured light technique with the deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is proposed. The input of the technique is a single fringe-pattern image, and the output is the corresponding depth map for 3D shape reconstruction. The essential training and validation datasets with high-quality 3D ground-truth labels are prepared by using a multi-frequency fringe projection profilometry technique. Unlike the conventional 3D shape reconstruction methods which involve complex algorithms and intensive computation to determine phase distributions or pixel disparities as well as depth map, the proposed approach uses an end-to-end network architecture to directly carry out the transformation of a 2D image to its corresponding 3D depth map without extra processing. In the approach, three CNN-based models are adopted for comparison. Furthermore, an accurate structured-light-based 3D imaging dataset used in this paper is made publicly available. Experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the validity and robustness of the proposed technique. It is capable of satisfying various 3D shape reconstruction demands in scientific research and engineering applications.

Flash tooth whitening: A friendly formulation based on a nanoencapsulated reductant

Tooth whitening materials have not undergone relevant advances in the last years. Current materials base their action on the oxidant activity of peroxides, which present the disadvantage of requiring long application times, along with unpleasant side effects of dental hypersensitivity (e.g. sharp pain). In this work, a novel tooth whitening formulation based on the encapsulation of a reducing agent (sodium metabisulfite) in liposomes is developed. An experimental design was applied to optimize the formulation in terms of whitening action and safety, using bovine teeth as in vitro model. Results were obtained by colorimetry, profilometry and nanoindentation techniques. The comparison with standard whitening treatments showed a similar whitening action of the optimized formulation but in remarkable shorter application times. Moreover, teeth roughness values obtained with the presented formulation conformed with ISO 28399. As mechanism of action, results obtained from fluorescent confocal microscopy showed the liposomal formulation to form a layer surrounding the enamel surface, enhancing the treatment efficacy in terms of diffusion of the protected reductant towards the enamel. The better efficiency of this formulation encourages its use as an alternative to current oxidative treatments.

Wide-field optical spectroscopy system integrating reflectance and spatial frequency domain imaging to measure attenuation-corrected intrinsic tissue fluorescence in radical prostatectomy specimens.

The development of a multimodal optical imaging system is presented that integrates endogenous fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy with single-wavelength spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) and surface profilometry. The system images specimens at visible wavelengths with a spatial resolution of 70 µm, a field of view of 25 cm2 and a depth of field of ∼1.5 cm. The results of phantom experiments are presented demonstrating the system retrieves absorption and reduced scattering coefficient maps using SFDI with <6% reconstruction errors. A phase-shifting profilometry technique is implemented and the resulting 3-D surface used to compute a geometric correction ensuring optical properties reconstruction errors are maintained to <6% in curved media with height variations <20 mm. Combining SFDI-computed optical properties with data from diffuse reflectance spectra is shown to correct fluorescence using a model based on light transport in tissue theory. The system is used to image a human prostate, demonstrating its ability to distinguish prostatic tissue (anterior stroma, hyperplasia, peripheral zone) from extra-prostatic tissue (urethra, ejaculatory ducts, peri-prostatic tissue). These techniques could be integrated in robotic-assisted surgical systems to enhance information provided to surgeons and improve procedural accuracy by minimizing the risk of damage to extra-prostatic tissue during radical prostatectomy procedures and eventually detect residual cancer.

Investigation of surface after erosion using optical profilometry technique

Investigation of surface after erosion using optical profilometry technique

Apparent cohesion effects on overtopping-induced fluvial dike breaching

Flow overtopping can lead to the initiation of breaching and failure of fluvial dikes, causing severe inundations and damage in the protected areas. For flood risk management and prevention, the accurate estimate of flow discharge across the fluvial dike breach is paramount, requiring precise understanding of the breach expansion. Laboratory experiments were conducted to analyse the effects of fine sand, inducing apparent cohesion in the dike material, on breach development and outflow. Tests were conducted under controlled inflow discharge and dike material composed of either homogeneous non-cohesive coarse sand or heterogeneous fine sand/coarse sand mixtures. Based on the non-intrusive laser profilometry technique, high temporal and spatial resolution of the three-dimensional breach geometry evolution was measured, indicating a small effect of the fine material on the overall breach dynamics. A detailed analysis revealed, however, that fine sand induces less frequent slope collapses but larger sliding/failing lumps compared to homogenous non-cohesive coarse sand.

Robust composite sine-trapezoidal phase-shifting algorithm for nonlinear intensity

Phase-shifting profilometry (PSP) is an efficient three-dimensional (3D) measurement technique. The accuracy of the PSP based 3D measurement system is generally affected by the nonlinear intensity response of the projector. In general, nonlinear errors can be reduced by projecting more fringe patterns, but this approach significantly increases the measuring time. To improve the measurement accuracy and speed, a new composite sine-trapezoidal phase-shifting profilometry technique that suppresses nonlinear error is proposed in this study. The main idea of the proposed method is projecting a set of sinusoidal fringe patterns and two sets of composite sine-trapezoidal fringe patterns with different intensity ranges in sequence. Among these patterns, the sinusoidal fringe is used to encode the pixel position, and the order of the wrapping phase is determined by the region code of the composite fringe. The flat intensity parts of the composite fringe are used to encode the nonlinear intensity response of the measurement system. Through system identification, the response parameters of the pixels can be obtained, and the gray value of the pixels can be corrected to gain a better phase distribution. Compared to the straight edges of the trapezoidal fringe, the sinusoidal edges of the composite fringe are more robust to the projector defocus, which improves the accuracy of the identification of the system intensity response model. Simulation results show that the proposed method can achieve a higher phase retrieval accuracy than the trapezoidal PSP and the sine PSP. The experiment results indicate that the proposed method has a better measurement accuracy than those of the standard 3-step and 4-step sine PSP methods.

Design considerations for rotation scanning projection moiré topography

Projection moiré topography is an optical technique for 3D surface reconstruction based on the geometric interference between two optical grids. To expand the measurement area and to maintain a high measurement resolution, a rotation scanning projection moiré profilometry technique is developed here. We present the mathematical description of an arbitrarily arranged projection moiré model, and derive the expression for phase and coordinates. On this basis, we establish a relation between the system parameters and rotation parameters, making it possible to calculate the system parameters and perform surface reconstruction for any rotation angle, using the same projection moiré model.

Shape defect measurement by fringe projection profilometry and phase-shifting algorithms

We propose a fringe-projection profilometry technique for shape defects measurement, which can be employed for three-dimensional (3-D) quality inspection. The proposal consists of using a template surface to design phase-shifting algorithms with special-purpose phase response via the frequency transfer function. These algorithms can jointly and directly estimate the spatial phase deviations in a 3-D inspection. Phase deviations correspond to shape differences between the template shape and a testing one. The phase-unwrapping procedure is unnecessary when phase differences are small, as is usual in quality inspections. Experimental results show that our technique is so sensitive that the ripples in a fingerprint can be retrieved.

Full-field vibration profilometry using time-averaged interference microscopy aided by variational analysis.

Full-field vibration testing is indispensable in characterization of micro-electro-mechanical components. Time-averaged interference (TAI) microscopy is a very capable and accurate vibration profilometry technique. It employs natural all-optical multiplexing of required information, i.e., recorded interferogram is amplitude-modulated by the Bessel pattern, which in turn encodes spatial distribution of vibration amplitude in its underlying phase function. We propose a complete end-to-end numerical scheme for efficient and robust vibration amplitude map demodulation based on the variational data-analysis paradigm. First, interferogram is variationally pre-filtered and complex analytic-interferogram is generated, exploiting the Hilbert spiral transform. The amplitude term of analytic-interferogram is accessed for Besselogram, i.e., TAI amplitude modulation distribution. Next, the Besselogram is variationally pre-filtered and complex analytic-Besselogram is calculated applying the Hilbert spiral transform. Finally, the phase term of the analytic-Besselogram is determined, unwrapped and post-filtered to achieve spatial distribution of vibration amplitude. Proposed approach is verified using simulated interferograms and corroborated upon experimental vibration testing. Reported method compares favorably with the reference Hilbert-Huang transform-based method. The improvement was gained by adding two new steps to the calculation path: (1) additional removal of the interferogram's residual background and noise and (2) variational based vibration amplitude map error correction method.

Hybrid microchannel-solid state micropore device for fast and optical cell detection.

This paper presents a methodology for cell detection and counting using a device that combines PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microfluidic multilayer channels with a single solid state micropore. Optimal conditions of solid-state micropore fabrication from crystalline silicon wafers are presented. Micropores of varying size can be obtained by directly etching using an etchant agent concentration of 50 wt% KOH, at varying temperatures (40, 60, 80 °C) and voltages (100, 500, 1000 mV). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and profilometry techniques have been used for the micropore characterization. In order to find optimal conditions for cell detection a COMSOL Multiphysics simulation was performed. Pressure drop, shear stress, fluid viscosities and flow rates parameters were evaluated. The potential viability of the device for cell detection and counting, avoiding cellular damage, is demonstrated.

Direct UV laser writing system to photolithographically fabricate optimal microfluidic geometries: Experimental investigations

Ultraviolet (UV) photolithography is utilised to obtain required geometric features on a substrate coated with photosensitive polymer by impinging beam of UV light. Using this fabrication technique, dimensions in the order of sub-micron range can be achieved effectively. However, the conventional photolithography is quite complex, tardy and inefficient approach, specially to achieve higher dimensions (>50 µm). In this work, optimization for fabrication of microchannels using a custom PC based UV (405 nm) Direct Laser Writing (DLW) system for photolithography has been performed. Liquid photoresist and dry film photoresist of various thicknesses are used on the substrate and the patterns are fabricated using the DLW system. The geometry of developed pattern is observed using profilometry and imaging techniques to understand how the width and depth of pattern is being affected by the varying parameters (laser intensity and stage speed), and their optimal values for desired width and depth have been identified. Parameters for developing (developer solution and time) are analysed for both types of photoresists and their effect of mould dimensions have also been studied.