Application Notes
Using the Olympus OLS5000 Laser Confocal Microscope to Measure the Surface Roughness of Printed Circuit Boards
Background
As electronic equipment continues to become smaller and more sophisticated, the demand for miniaturized printed circuit boards (PCBs) is increasing. An essential part of manufacturing PCBs is binding copper foil to a dielectric resin substrate. To ensure that the copper foil adheres securely, the resin surface is roughened to increase the surface area. If the surface is too rough, it creates electrical impedance that negatively impacts the electronic device. Consequently, surface roughness must be measured to make sure it remains within optimum limits.
The Olympus solutions
The Olympus LEXT 3D measuring laser microscope is engineered to measure surface roughness with a planar resolution of 0.12 μm and an unevenness resolution of 5 nm, which are ideal for PCB roughness applications. The microscope features both high pixel density and high inclination sensitivity enabling you to measure surfaces with fine irregularities and steep angles. The LEXT employs non-contact roughness measurement technology so a substrate’s surface is protected from being damaged.
Features of the product
The LEXT features ultra-high-resolution images with high pixel density for accurate 3D observations. The microscope has high inclination sensitivity and reliably measures samples with steep angles. Surface roughness measurements are non-contact so the resin substrate is protected. The LEXT supports JIS/ISO surface roughness measurement requirements.
Image
Figure 1: A 3D image showing the roughness measurement of a resin substrate
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*Based on Evident’s internal research as of October 2025. The guaranteed accuracy and repeatability apply only if the device has been calibrated according to the manufacturer’s specifications and is in defect free condition. Calibration must be performed by an Evident technician or an Evident-authorized specialist.
LEXT OLS5100
The LEXT™ OLS5100 laser scanning microscope combines exceptional accuracy and optical performance with smart tools that make the system easy to use. The tasks of precisely measuring shape and surface roughness at the submicron level are fast and efficient, simplifying your workflow and delivering high-quality data you can trust.