Results from the application of scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) for characterization of aluminum implanted 4H-SiC are presented. The implanted profiles are investigated electrically and morphologically as a function of post-implantation anneal conditions. The method is shown to be advantageous for measuring and optimizing the activation in many aspects with respect to existing alternative techniques: it provides information of the entire depth and Al concentration range, it is unaffected by annealing induced re-growth and/or surface roughening, and requires little sample preparation. The results indicate that the apparent activation and surface roughness do not saturate in the investigated temperature range of 1500-1650 °C. Finally, an apparent activation energy for the process of 3 eV is estimated. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.