Thickness control

Thickness control is one of the actions involved in quality assurance. As such, it must satisfy a number of criteria if the results are to be credible. Thickness control must be based on reliable techniques, applied in a reproducible manner (by means of procedures).

Measuring thickness is akin to a metrological operation; providing the results of a measurement operation without at least attempting to assess its uncertainty can lead to significant errors of assessment. In this article, whenever possible, we will describe the factors likely to affect the measurement. We will distinguish between intrinsic thickness and layer thickness, the definition of which is given in the relevant articles.