BESANCON, FRANCE-The LNE, the French National Metrology Institute, and Digital Surf, a surface metrology solutions provider, have signed a technical cooperation agreement. The LNE will join Digital Surf’s Mount Shasta program with laboratories that use Digital Surf’s MountainsMap surface imaging and analysis software.

The LNE develops measurement standards and measurement, test and analysis methods to facilitate innovation, assure product quality and protect consumers. It also develops and maintains metrological references to provide traceability to the international SI system. The LNE uses MountainsMap in its Dimensional Nanometrology Research Programme and a number of other programs including NanoRef and NanoFeu.

The Dimensional Nanometrology Programme will help to meet the needs of French industry for dimensional metrology at the nanometric scale and form a basis for cooperation with other national metrology institutes. Within the framework of the program, the LNE will provide the ability to measure reference standards that are traceable to the national measurement standard for length, establish the levels of uncertainty associated with different types of measurement and measure advanced products. It is currently developing a metrological AFM to calibrate standards dedicated to SPM applications. MountainsMap is integrated in this instrument for surface visualization and analysis.

“MountainsMap is an industry standard and our participation in its future evolution is part of the LNE’s nanometrology initiative,” says Dr. Sébastien Ducourtieux, head of the LNE’s Nanometrology unit at Trappes. “MountainsMap is used in cutting edge LNE programs to visualize and analyze measurement data generated by a wide range of standard and experimental instruments, in particular scanning probe microscopes.”

“Nanometrology is strategic for Digital Surf,” says François Blateyron, managing director of Digital Surf’s Mountains Surface Analysis Business Unit. “Feedback from the LNE will help us to ensure that MountainsMap not only meets current needs but also meets future needs in this market.”

For more information on the LNE, visit www.lne.fr.

For more information on Digital Surf, visit www.digitalsurf.com.