Waferpedia

Bruker

Dektak XT

The Bruker Dektak XT is a stylus surface profiler. The Bruker Dektak XT measures thin and thick film step heights. The Bruker Dektak XT is compatible with wafer sizes of 2 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches.[1]

Dektak XT — Inventory photo
Fig. 01Dektak XTInventory photo[2]
  • Plate 01Bruker Dektak XT Demo at IES Technical Sales Danvers MA

    davesatiesWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 02DektakXT Stylus Profiler [Application Training Instructional Session]

    Kamal A. Shair Central Research Science LaboratoryWatch on YouTube
  • Plate 03DektakXT Intro Short length.wmv

    davesatiesWatch on YouTube

Wafer size

2 in, 4 in, 6 in, 8 in

Performance

5 Å[1]

Optics

Selectable 1 to 4 mm FOV[1]

What it is

General reference — not yet source-verified

Surface profilers are contact metrology instruments that measure surface topography by dragging a stylus across a sample. The vertical displacement of the stylus is converted into an electrical signal, typically by a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT).

How it works

The DektakXT takes measurements by moving a diamond-tipped stylus over the sample surface at a user-programmed scan length, speed, and stylus force. The stylus is linked to a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT), which produces electrical signals corresponding to surface variations.[7]

The stylus force on the Dektak XT is adjustable from 0.03 mg to 15 mg. The system includes a video camera for manual stylus placement and a manual X, Y, Theta stage.[8]

Applications

The Dektak XT supports 3D stress and 3D mapping. Software analysis can determine roughness, average step height, and other parameters. A stress measurement option is included.[9][8]

What do the numbers mean?

Wafer handling4

Wafer compatibility
2 in, 4 in, 6 in, 8 in[1]
Accurate?
Compatible wafer sizes
2", 4", 6", 8"[1]
Accurate?
Wafer Compatibility
2″, 4″, 6″, 8″ wafers[1]
Accurate?
Wafer compatibility
2", 4", 6", and 8" wafers[1]
Accurate?

Optics & imaging3

Magnification / Field of View
Selectable 1 to 4 mm FOV[1]
Accurate?
Selectable magnification
1 to 4mm FOV[1]
Accurate?
Field of View Magnification
Selectable, 1 to 4mm FOV[1]
Accurate?

Performance2

Step-height repeatability
5 Å[1]
Accurate?
Step-height repeatability
5A[1]
Accurate?

Control & software2

4" Stage and movement controlled by software[2]
Accurate?
Windows 7 PC[2]
Accurate?

Dimensions & facilities2

Measurement type
Stylus surface profiler for thin and thick film step height[1]
Accurate?
Measurement purpose
advanced thin and thick film step height measurement[1]
Accurate?

Configuration & options12

Stylus diameter
12.5 Microns[2]
Accurate?
Enclosure included[2]
Accurate?
Scan length range
55 mm (with stitching option)[1]
Accurate?
Vertical range
1 mm[1]
Accurate?
Low force (N-Lite+)
0.03 to 15 mg[1]
Accurate?
3D capabilities
3D stress and 3D mapping[1]
Accurate?
N-Lite+ Low Force
0.03 to 15mg[1]
Accurate?
3D stress and 3D mapping
Supported[1]
Accurate?
Tool Type
Stylus surface profiler[1]
Accurate?
Type
stylus surface profiler[1]
Accurate?
Low force mode
N-Lite+ Low Force with 0.03 to 15mg[1]
Accurate?
Measurement modes
3D stress and 3D mapping[1]
Accurate?
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What replaced it?

  • siblingKLA D600— Listed in the same metrology equipment section.source[5]
  • siblingKLA P-17— Listed in the same mechanical profilometers section of EPFL's Center of MicroNanoTechnology.source[6]

Where are the manuals?

Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.

Not publicly documented

Field notes

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Frequently asked questions

What is the vertical measurement range of the Dektak XT?

The vertical measurement range is up to 1 mm.[9][8]

What is the step height repeatability?

Step height repeatability is 5 Å (Angstroms).[9]

What is the maximum sample diameter the Dektak XT can accommodate?

The maximum sample diameter is 8 inches (200 mm).[8]

What is the adjustable stylus force range?

The stylus force is adjustable from 0.03 mg to 15 mg.[8]

What software does the Dektak XT use?

The system uses Vision64 measurement and analysis software.[7]

What is the maximum scan length?

The maximum scan length is 55 mm (2.16 inches).[8]

Not publicly documented

The following facts about the Dektak XT are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.

  • No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the Dektak XT are on record.

    Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement

  • No publicly documented variants, configuration options, or revision breakpoints of the Dektak XT are on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM product catalog or an engineer who ordered or specified the tool

  • The control-system platform and OS era of the Dektak XT are not on record.

    Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records

  • No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the Dektak XT are on record.

    Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician

  • The process node or technology generation of the Dektak XT is not on record.

    Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report

No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.

Sources & citations

Sources (10)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
  1. [1]epfl.chepfl.ch
  2. [2]Inventory photo
  3. [3]Inventory photo
  4. [4]Inventory photo
  5. [5]epfl.chepfl.ch
  6. [6]epfl.chepfl.ch
  7. [7]Surface profiler [BRUKER-profilometer] | Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility | University of Waterloo — uwaterloo.cauwaterloo.ca
  8. [8]Step Profilometer (DektakXT) - UCSB Nanofab Wiki — wiki.nanotech.ucsb.eduwiki.nanotech.ucsb.edu
  9. [9]Metrology ‒ Center of MicroNanoTechnology CMi ‐ EPFL — epfl.chepfl.ch
  10. [10]Equipment Descriptions | Stanford Nano Shared Facilities — snsf.stanford.edusnsf.stanford.edu
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Last updated Oct 8, 2026.

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