Analysis of the Intensity Curves Obtained by the Unidirectional Laser Oblique Illumination Technique at Different Magnifications

The study of the gaussian parameter ω—the approximate width of a peak at half height—of the intensity curves obtained by means of the Unidirectional Laser Oblique Illumination technique employed in the optical microscopy of materials permits introduction of the concept of variation of a surface pattern at different magnifications. This concept establishes how the surface pattern or topography varies among different areas when different magnifications are used. Diffraction gratings and metallic surfaces which have been subjected to different metallographic procedures are analyzed, using objectives of 8×, 16×, and 32×.