Ellipsometry is a non-contact optical technique used to measure thin film thickness in nanometer range. ASTM D3241 includes visual rating of film deposits on the specimen heater tube. Visual rating by individual operators has proven to be very subjective. At the 5th International Conference on Stability, Handling, and Use of Liquid Fuels in 1994 a paper was presented on a study that demonstrated Ellipsometry can provide an absolute measurement of heater tube deposit film thickness. ASTM member firms then sought out an Ellipsometer manufacturer to develop an application specific Ellipsometer for use in measuring D3241 film deposit thickness. A product was developed and provided the capability, but then discontinued. Falex Corporation was asked by ASTM members to resurrect the Ellipsometer. Specific goals include improvements in application specific capability, ability to measure tubular specimen, measurement repeatability and reproducibility. Falex developed and manufactures the Model 430 Ellipsometer. A study was performed to demonstrate the capability of the Falex Ellipsometer by first measuring multiple heater tube's film deposit thickness using multiple original manufactured Ellipsometers. The study then measured the same deposits using the new Falex Ellipsometer Model 430. The study presents the Falex Ellipsometer provides comparative results with excellent reproducibility and repeatability. It presents the goals of the new Ellipsometer, how they were met, use of new robust user friendly operator interface, ease of operation, features and their benefits.
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