Technical resource
PSL and silica answer different metrology questions.
Particle size alone does not make two materials equivalent to an optical inspection system or process study.
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Material comparison
Comparison
| Factor | PSL | Silica |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polymer sphere | Inorganic silica |
| Common role | Controlled size reference and instrument calibration | Inorganic contamination and optical/process challenge |
| Density and handling | Lower density; suspension behavior depends on formulation | Higher density; aggregation and deposition control are important |
| Selection basis | Instrument method and size-response requirement | Process representation and optical/material requirement |
Optical response
Do not infer equivalent response
Equal nominal size does not guarantee equal signal. Refractive index, shape, substrate interaction and the inspection system affect response.
Method control
Use the material named in the method
Where the instrument procedure, customer specification or validation method defines the particle material, substitution requires technical justification.
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