Micro & Nano Metrology

 

The Group

Luigi Ribotta

Researcher
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Massimo Zucco

Senior Researcher
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Marco Pisani

Senior Researcher
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Roberto Bellotti

Technician
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Andrea Giura

Technician
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The Institute

Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica is the Italian National Metrology Institute. 

What we do

As part of a National Metrology Institute, our mission is: 

Research

Our fields of research regards the quantitative study of surfaces at the micro and nanoscale, defining measurands and procedures for uncertainty analysis.  

Surface Metrology

Surfaces are the interfaces between different states of matter, primarily solid and fluid, and their analysis is crucial for understanding object-environment interactions. Surface irregularities affect characteristics like shape and finish, which can be quantified through roughness and texture. Accurate measurement technology is essential for characterizing machined surfaces, ensuring functionality, detecting defects, and improving product quality. Since surface properties significantly influence an object's overall performance, surface metrology is important for quantitative analysis. Our research focuses on developing innovative tools and methodologies for surface measurement, particularly in functional surface metrology across various industries, including semiconductors, automotive, aerospace, energy and biomedical sectors, to simplify surface characterization.

Nanometrology

Nanotechnology covers various scientific fields focused on systems with dimensions in the nanoscale range (1–100) nm. Its growth is driven by the unique chemical and physical properties of materials and the semiconductor industry's need for miniaturization. Nanometrology addresses specific measurement needs across different areas. Dimensional nanometrology involves quantitative measurements of size, shape, roughness, position, and orientation of nano-objects. It encompasses all aspects of measurement, including defining measurands, procedures, and uncertainty assessment. This field is crucial because the functional properties of materials at the nanoscale are strictly influenced by size and surface area. Dimensional nanometrology aids nanoscience by developing new measurement methods and characterizing reference materials.

Here you can find a list of our scientific publications in journals, allowing the dissemination of research results and innovations in the nano and micro metrology field. 

We work on projects which involve the collaborations between research institutes, universities, and industries from different countries to address scientific and technological challenges.
Projects may have national, European or industrial fundings.

Metrological services

As a National Metrology Institute, INRiM provides a wide range of calibration and measurement services, which ensure traceability to SI (International System of Units) according to the ILAC-P10 criteria "ILAC Policy on the Traceability of Measurement Results".
INRiM is a signatory to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) promoted by the Comité International des Poids et Measures (CIPM) concerning the mutual recognition of the national measurement standards and the calibration and measurement certificates issued by the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) of the countries that signed this agreement.

Our Calibration Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) included in the CIPM MRA agreement are published on the database KCDB of the BIPM (https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/).

For technical information on specific calibration and measurement services and requests for quotations:

Roughness standards


Step Height/Groove Depth standards

1D Gratings/2D Gratings & Nanoparticles


Our Roughness CMCs

Roughness standard (ISO 5436-1 type C): ISO roughness parameters

Absolute expanded uncertainty: 0.5 µm

Stylus profilometry

Parameter: RSm 

Our Step Height CMCs

Our Nanoscale CMCs

1-D grating: pitch p, non-sinusoidal profile

Absolute expanded uncertainty: 1.5E-2 nm to 2.5 nm

0.05E-03 p

Laser diffractometer

Measurement area: Measurement area: 1 mm2 to 70 mm2


Standard particle: particle size h

Absolute expanded uncertainty: 1.8 nm to 1.2E1 nm

1.8 nm + 0.02 h

Metrological Atomic Force Microscope

Dissemination

The group’s researchers collaborate with universities by teaching courses concerning measurements and metrology at the micro and nanoscale. 

Here you can find the major conferences at which we participate. 

We have open positions for PhD, internships and bachelor and master thesis regarding micro and nanometrology. 

Instrumentation

metrological Atomic Force Microscope (mAFM) 

INRiM metrological AFM is a custom-made instrument that uses an interferometric system to control relative tip-sample motion, enabling 3D measurements traceable to the International System on samples such as nanoparticles, nanostructures, quantum dots, and NEMS. In addition, through calibration of transfer standards, as demonstrated by CMCs concerning the analysis of step samples and spherical nanoparticles, we are able to give referability “secondary” NMI instruments and end-user instruments (e.g., AFM, SEM, TEM, DLS). 

Main characteristics

Stylus Profilometer  

Stylus profilometers are high-precision instruments that measure the topography of profiles through the contact of a fine tip with the surface. It is used to analyze roughness and step-height reference samples, fundamental for research and industry. 

Main characteristics

Optical Profilometer

Optical profilometers are precision instruments used to measure the topography of surfaces without contact, by employing confocal and interferometric techniques. These devices provide detailed data on surface roughness and morphology, which are essential for various technological and industrial sectors.


Main characteristics:

Focus Variation instrument

Focus variation devices are advanced optical measurement tools used to capture the 3D topography of surfaces with high precision. They operate by varying the focus of a light source to obtain detailed images of the surface at different depths.


Main characteristics:



Chromatic Confocal Point Sensor

Chromatic confocal point sensors use the chromatic separation of light to accurately measure without contact the shape and surface roughness, as well as the thickness of surface layers on a wide variety of objects, which can be reflective or dispersive, opaque or transparent, rough or shiny.


Main characteristics:

Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope

A tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) uses a focused electron beam that allows much higher resolution and magnification compared to an optical microscope. It offers the benefit of being compact, permitting to quickly and easily obtain high-quality images of samples.


Main characteristics:

Collaborators

Universities and Research Centers 

National Metrology Institutes 

Companies 

There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom 

Richard Feynman – 1948