An improved system and method are disclosed for non-destructively
determining the thickness and uniformity of an anti-tamper coating on a
sensitive electronic part, such as, for example, an integrated circuit,
multi-chip module, or other type of electronic device, component or
equipment. The system includes an anti-tamper coating thickness
measurement probe with a highly collimated beta radiation source and a
Geiger-Muller tube sensitive to beta radiation arranged in close
proximity to the beta radiation source. The probe is placed on or in
close proximity to the anti-tamper coating on the part, so that the beta
radiation electrons penetrate the coating material and are reflected back
(back scattered) toward the beta radiation source and the Geiger-Muller
tube. The Geiger-Muller tube collects the electrons from the back
scattered radiation.