Group Optical Surface Analytics

The research focus of the group is the development of turnkey measuring equipment for the testing of surfaces – both in the laboratory and integrated into the production line. The systems are used primarily for component cleanliness and coatings testing, but also for defect detection and the detection of specific elements. Measuring systems developed in this group inspect a wide range of products – from strip goods to complex-shaped components to bulk materials – detecting surfaces completely, even in free fall without further handling. Typically, extremely thin functional coatings such as barrier layers on plastic (typ. < 100 nm) or oil films on sheet metal (typ. < 1 µm) are detected. During cleanliness testing, even the smallest residues of such coatings can be detected.

We use laser-based methods (LIBS) to detect chemical elements down to the ppm range. Our LIBS systems analyze both layer systems and raw or recycled materials – for example, with regard to contaminants such as heavy metals. Depending on the issue, we also integrate the systems for process monitoring directly into laser machining processes.

Inline microscopes developed by the group characterize the geometry and surfaces of micro components in the production cycle with very high accuracy, for example in the manufacture of medical devices. Our systems are designed for any operating environments – from the clean room, to the classic QA laboratory, to use in machines such as press lines for automotive manufacturing.

Imaging fluorescence

• Detection and localization of minor organic contamination (typically down to a few mg/m²)
• Detection and highly resolved characterization of coatings
• Possibility of measuring in motion

Infrared measurement technology

• Detection and thickness measurements of barrier layers with thicknesses down to a few nm

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

• Contactless material analysis on surfaces and in liquids
  
• Thickness measurement of functional coatings
• Detection of components down to the ppm range
• Element analysis of raw and recycled materials
  

Image processing and image analysis tailord to specific measuring tasks

• Detection of defects which are difficult to identify (e.g. structural defects, contaminations, dimensional errors, scratches)
  
• Optimized lighting and customized image capture
• Classification of features according to individual customer criteria