When a thin film is grown over a substrate via chemical methods like spray pyrolysis mostly weight loss is reported because of large variations in thickness. Any other simple methods if known other than profilometry which is simple is needed. Anyone working in this area please enlighten.
I suggest you look into ellipsometry. It is not too expensive (if you implement it on your own), can be used in-situ and in real time, and is contrary to simple intuition not limited to films in the thickness regime of optical wave length. Semiconductor industry Industry loves it. This method is old (http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/067/4/v67.n04.a12.pdf ) and still very popular. There are commercial ellipsometers. The leading company is located in Lincoln, NE http://www.jawoollam.com/ .
Use quartz crystal monitor.......OR properly mask any edge with Aluminum foil and it can be easily investigated in Optical/SEM measurements (depending upon the thickness and desired precision)...
I agree quartz resonators are great. I use them in my MBE where I grow thin and ultra-thin films via thermal evaporation from effusion cells. If you grow thick films of various materials and you have a sizable throughput you may run into trouble with quartz, because the deposited material (the resonance frequency changes as a function of deposited material) may start to peel off. In this case you have to change the quartz and gauge again after every change of the crystal. Also be aware that the quartz reacts on temperature with a false reading. The quartz changes density as a function of temperature which changes its resonance frequency unrelated to deposition. Having that said, every method has pros and cons.
If you're willing to send samples to Liverpool, UK we can perform ellipsometry for you. In addition to film thickness we can extract roughness, refractive index and absorption coefficient (although how successful this is depends on the material). What is the material you are depositing?
Yes. Ellipsometry can give additinal parameters too. I am willing to send the samples. Thanks We are depositing metal oxides, metal chalcogenides on to glass.
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