ABSTRACT
Several methods can be considered to characterise SLS parts. They all seem to be based on a simple idea. A certain form of energy is introduced into the part to be analysed. That energy is absorbed, transmitted, transferred or even transformed and the needed informations are deduced by detecting and measuring these mechanisms. From this point of view, the diagnostic methods can be classified into four categories, according to the nature of the energy introduced into the system:
1. X-ray tomography, scanning electron-beam microscopy or optical microscopy form a first class of methods based on the detection of the energy transported by electromagnetic waves.
