Which approach fits your measurement task?
Not every coating thickness measurement follows the same approach. Depending on whether you want to analyze the layer itself or evaluate the coating on the component, different technologies are required.
If material, layer structure, and thickness are the focus, the right approach is optical coating thickness measurement within photonics.
If, on the other hand, surface condition, defects, homogeneity, or functional coating properties need to be assessed, surface metrology for coating inspection and step height analysis is the appropriate approach.
Go to photonics: If you want to directly characterize layers and multilayer systems
Go to surface metrology: If you want to evaluate coating quality, defects, or surface structures
Products for coating thickness measurement
Depending on the measurement task, different technologies are available. Polytec combines methods for direct coating thickness measurement with solutions for surface and coating evaluation – for lab, at-line, and inline applications.
Photothermal Measurement Systems
The Enovasense system measures thickness of opaque or transparent coatings extremely quickly in the laboratory and inline applications on almost all substrates. The compact measuring head is suitable for confined spaces.
Hyperspectral Imaging Measurement Systems
These systems use a unique combination of optical spectroscopy and imaging for precise surface analysis. Depending on the material properties, layer thicknesses can be measured non-destructively in an impressive range from 1 nm to 500 µm.
Terahertz Thickness Measurement Systems
Terahertz thickness measurement – fast, non-contact, non-destructive, ideal for multi-layers in industrial applications and process quality control.
Micro.View
TopMap Micro.View® is an easy to use optical profiler in a compact table-top setup. Choose Micro.View® as the cost-effective inspection tool for examining precision-engineered surfaces down to the sub-nm range, for inspecting roughness, microstructures and more surface details.
Micro.View+
Advanced microscope-based surface profiler with automation and color imaging. Micro.View+ enables repeatable, operator-independent roughness and texture analysis—ready for lab and production use.
Pro.Surf+
Multi-sensor optical profiler combining large-area form measurement with integrated roughness analysis. Pro.Surf+ delivers fast, traceable form and roughness results in one production-ready system.
Know-how & applications
Would you like to compare measurement methods or evaluate new measurement technologies? The following in-depth resources help you better understand coating thickness measurement and identify suitable solutions more efficiently.
Optical Coating Thickness Measurement: Methods Compared
Learn coating thickness measurement: compare optical and non-contact methods like photothermal and terahertz for precise inline analysis.
Optical coating thickness measurement
Industrial layer thickness applications – tailored to your materials, processes and production requirements.
Coating Quality Control in 3D
Coating quality control in 3D. Assessing pre-coat texture, post-coat defects, and film thickness.
FAQ about coating thickness measurement
Which coating thickness measurement method fits my layer system?
The right technology depends on material, layer structure, measurement range, and operating conditions. For direct layer characterization, photothermal methods, terahertz measurement, or hyperspectral imaging may be suitable. For coating quality and surface condition, surface metrology may be the better choice.
What methods exist for coating thickness measurement?
Key methods include optical techniques such as photothermal measurement, terahertz measurement, and hyperspectral imaging, as well as surface metrology methods.
When is optical coating thickness measurement suitable?
Optical methods are ideal when layers need to be analyzed directly, non-contact, and often inline—especially for industrial coatings and multilayer systems.
When is coating thickness measurement using surface metrology methods appropriate?
Surface metrology is used when the focus is not on the layer itself, but on quality, structure, defects, or functional properties.
How do I measure multilayer systems?
Multilayer systems require specialized methods such as terahertz measurement or other optical technologies.
Can coating thickness measurement be done inline?
Yes, many methods can be integrated directly into production processes.
Measurement technology for your coating thickness application
Whether optical coating thickness measurement, coating inspection, or selecting the right technology – Polytec supports you in quickly classifying your task and finding the right solution.