Applications of optical methods to surface microtopography

Abstract

Several optical methods for the examination of the microtopography of surfaces are discussed. They divide themselves naturally into two groups; those which give quantitative informs-ion about the surface and those which give only qualitative i information. There is a bias towards the first part. With reference to part A, the quantitative methods, the techniques discussed are, Fizeau and F.E.C.O. multiple beam interference fringes, both in reflection and in transmission, two beam interference microscopes, the profile, and the shadow casting techniques. A separate chapter deals with the properties of the reflecting coatings used in some of the above methods. Part B is concerned with the application of phase contrast methods to the study of surfaces, that is in the vertical illumination microscope.