Australia Surface Metrology Lab
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ASML is a surface imaging lab with imaging tool resources to help scientists and engineers.

 
 

ASML Mission:  Surface imaging, dimension analysis, material characterization

ASML is a surface metrology laboratory which provides collaborative consulting services for research scientists and engineers.   Simply put, we have imaging tools and years of experience using them, and we would like to help you with your surface characterization problems.

ASML is a nonprofit organization.  We do not charge for the work we perform.  However, we do request that a donation is made to one of the nonprofit organizations we support.

Imaging Tools and Resources

Our imaging capability is gradually expanding as new tools come online.  Currently ASML can characterize surfaces with the following imaging techniques:       

  • Atomic Force Microscopy

  • Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

  • Optical Profilometry

  • Stylus Profilometry

  • Standard Optical Microscopy

 Each tool in the ASML lab is calibrated with in-house standards according to the vertical and horizontal scales of the required measurements.   The available calibration sources include VLSI NIST Traceable Standards, NT-MDT calibration references, and Mitutoyo Gauge Blocks.

How We Will Work for You

The process is straightforward.   First, we ask that you fill out our Service Request form. We will review the information you provide to see if our lab can help with your measurement task.  If we accept your request we will assign a Project Number to your project and email this to you along with instructions on how to ship your sample to us.  You then ship your sample with a simple cover letter that references your Project Number in the letter heading.  We will advise you when we receive your sample, and do the measurements.

All of the data we acquire will be sent to you electronically via the contact email address you provide.   After looking at the data there may be some back-and-forth discussion about what the data show, and this may lead to some additional measurements being performed. 

If requested, we will return your sample at the end of your project provided you follow our Shipping and Return Instructions.

Data Formats

Quantized results such as surface roughness, radius of curvature, and surface feature periodicity will be reported either in tabular form in a Microsoft Word document or in an Excel document.  Image data can be provided either in a standard graphic form (jpeg, png, tiff) or in the Gwyddion image file format.  Gwyddion is a free image analysis program you can download onto your computer to open, render, and analyze your image data on your own.

Questions?

If you have questions you would like to ask then jump to the ASML Contact page and send us an e-mail message.