Shaped-channel scanning nozzle for scanning of a material surface

A method for scanning a surface of a material with a shaped nozzle comprising:

• introducing a scan fluid to the surface of the material via a nozzle, the nozzle including
• a nozzle body configured to couple to a positionable nozzle arm support for positioning the nozzle with respect to a material surface, the nozzle body defining a fluid port configured to receive a fluid into the nozzle and defining an interior region having a vacuum port configured to couple with a vacuum source, and
• a nozzle hood coupled to the nozzle body, the nozzle hood including an exterior wall and an interior wall defining at a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel between the exterior wall and the interior wall and in fluid communication with the fluid port, the interior wall bounding at least a portion of the interior region, wherein an outlet of the fluid port is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior wall to introduce fluid from the fluid port into at least a portion of each of the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel to direct the fluid along the material surface within the portion of each of the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel during application of a vacuum to the vacuum port by the vacuum source;
• directing the scan fluid along the surface of the material, via the nozzle, at least a portion of the fluid held within each of the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel;
• joining the scan fluid from the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel together at a region of the nozzle hood distinct from the fluid port;
• and
• removing the scan fluid from the surface of the material through the nozzle.