In situ microviscoelastic measurements by polarization-interferometric monitoring of indentation depth

new type of computer-controlled instrument has been developed to measure microviscoelastic properties of thin materials. It can independently control and measure indentation loads and depths in situ revealing information about material creep and relaxation. Sample and indenter positions are measured with a specially designed polarization interferometer. Indenter loadings can be varied between 0.5 and 10 g and held constant to +/-41 mg. The resulting indentation depths can be measured in situ to +/-1.2 nm. The load required to maintain constant indentation depths from 0.1 to 5.0 microim can be measured in situ to +/-3.3 mg and the depth held constant to +/-15 nm.