Final answer:
A profilometer measures the surface roughness of materials using a scanning probe microscope. This instrument maintains a probe at a constant distance from the surface while measuring small variations in current to provide a detailed surface topography.
Step-by-step explanation:
A profilometer is an instrument designed to measure the surface roughness of a material. It does this by employing a scanning probe microscope, which utilizes a probe that travels across the surface of the specimen. The profilometer keeps the probe at constant distance from the surface, and as it moves, it measures the current. The current measurement is sensitive to the size of the gap between the probe and the surface, allowing it to detect variances in surface texture and provide a topographical map of the specimen's surface.
The data collected by the profilometer is crucial for quality control in manufacturing processes and materials research where surface texture can affect material properties, product functionality, and appearance. This makes the profilometer an essential tool for engineers, researchers, and technicians working in various fields such as semiconductors, automotive, aerospace, and materials science.