page_title: Profilometer
section_title: Types
hierarchical_section_title: Profilometer / Types
caption_attribution_description: Original 1940s Taylor-Hobson 'Talysurf' surface profile measuring machine, at Snibston Discovery Museum
context_page_description: A profilometer is a measuring instrument used to measure a surface's profile, in order to quantify its roughness. Critical dimensions as step, curvature, flatness are computed from the surface topography.
  While the historical notion of a profilometer was a device similar to a phonograph that measures a surface as the surface is moved relative to the contact profilometer's stylus, this notion is changing with the emergence of numerous non-contact profilometry techniques.
  Non-scanning technologies are able to measure the surface topography within a single camera acquisition, XYZ scanning is no longer needed. As a consequence, dynamic changes of topography are measured in real-time. Contemporary profilometers are not only measuring static topography, but now also dynamic topography – such systems are described as time-resolved profilometers.
context_section_description: Optical methods
  include interferometry based methods such as digital holographic microscopy, vertical scanning interferometry/white light interferometry, phase shifting interferometry, and differential interference contrast microscopy (Nomarski microscopy); ocus detection methods such as intensity detection, focus variation, differential detection, critical angle method, astigmatic method, foucault method, and confocal microscopy; pattern projection methods such as Fringe projection, Fourier profilometry, Moire, and pattern reflection methods.
  Contact and pseudo-contact methods include
  stylus profilometer (mechanical profilometer)atomic force microscopy,
  and scanning tunneling microscopy
caption: Original 1940s Taylor-Hobson Talysurf surface profile measuring machine
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