3D Profiler

The BRUKER CONTOURGT-K1 3D Opitical Profiler will be used for precise morphology and volume determinations of laser ablation pits. High-precision volume, shape, and laser penetration rate into mineral grains is required to accurate and precise concentration measurements. Laser ablation pits at the UT lab are between 20-60 microns wide and 10-80 microns deep and we require to know the volume of the ablated material to better than 0.5%; requiring a high-performance 3D optical profiler (non-contact interferometer). This equipment is primarily used for successful age and concentration analysis in the new UT geo- and thermochronometry laboratory of the Jackson School of Geosciences, but is also available for other quality control or metrology application, requiring either nanometer (VSI mode) or Angstrom (PSI mode) precision.

Setup of Bruker ContourGT-K1 3D Optical Profiler with motorized stage, objectives, and turret with computer and analysis software

The Bruker GT-K1 3D optical profiler is capable of the measurements of a wide range of surfaces for shapes (e.g., laser pit), roughness, step heights, etc. The system comes with 10X and 115X high-precision objectives, 2 multiplier tubes, 3 axes of motorization (important for image stitching), and both vibration isolation and workstation tables. The gauge-capable and versatile CONTOURGT-K1 offers a full-range of standard and optional features, including enhanced imaging, motorized stages, auto focus, multi-objective turret, standard and long working distance objectives, encoded field-of-view lenses.

Image of 30 micron laser ablations pits in zircon