Surface topography characterization using 3D stereoscopic reconstruction of SEM images

• A major drawback of the optical microscope is its limitation to resolve finer details. Many microscopes have been developed to overcome the limitations set by the diffraction of visible light. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is one such alternative: it uses electrons for imaging, which have much smaller wavelength than photons. As a result high magnification with superior image resolution can be achieved. However, SEM generates 2D images which provide limited data for surface measurements and analysis. Often many research areas require the knowledge of 3D structures as they contribute to a comprehensive understanding of microstructure by allowing effective measurements and qualitative visualization of the samples under study. For this reason, stereo photogrammetry technique is employed to convert SEM images into 3D measurable data. This paper aims to utilize a stereoscopic reconstruction technique as a reliable method for characterization of surface topography. Reconstructed results from SEM images are compared with coherence scanning interferometer (CSI) results obtained by measuring a roughness reference standard sample. This paper presents a method to select the most robust/consistent surface texture parameters that are insensitive to the uncertainties involved in the reconstruction technique itself. Results from the two-stereoscopic reconstruction algorithms are also documented in this paper.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Datorseende och robotik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Computer Vision and Robotics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

areal surface texture parameters

coherence scanning interferometer

power spectral density

scanning electron microscope

stereoscopic reconstruction

Image resolution

Interferometers

Light

Photogrammetry

Scanning

Scanning electron microscopy

Spectral density

Stereo image processing

Surface measurement

Surface topography

Three dimensional computer graphics

High magnifications

Reconstruction algorithms

Reconstruction techniques

Reference standard samples

Scanning interferometers

Stereophotogrammetry

Surface texture parameters

The scanning electron microscopes (SEM)

Image reconstruction

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)