DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING A SAMPLE USING LOCALIZED MEASUREMENTS

Device for characterizing a sample includes a measuring instrument for determining a physical characteristic of the sample at one point thereof; a positioning system for positioning the measuring instrument relative to the sample, to obtain a measurement at a point localized on the sample. The positioning system includes: a locating target connected to the sample and defining a reference system linked thereto; elements for acquiring and analyzing images, including lighting elements for illuminating the target; an optical imaging system connected to the measuring instrument for acquiring an image of at least one portion of the target; and image analysis elements for analyzing the image to determine the position and orientation of the optical imaging system relative to the target; calibration elements for determining the position of the measuring instrument relative to the optical imaging system; and processing elements for processing the results of the image analysis and of the calibration.