Geoscience Atom Probe Facility

Atom Probe Tomography (APT) is a characterisation technique that combines high spatial resolution with time-of-flight mass spectrometry to provide 3-dimensional chemical and isotopic information at the atomic scale. The Geoscience Atom Probe (GAP) Facility is a world-leader in the application of APT to geological samples, and also conducts analysis across a wide variety of other material systems. For the latest results and further information on the facility, visit Geoscience Atom Probe.

LEAP 4000X HR ATOM PROBE MICROSCOPE

LEAP 4000X HR Atom Probe Microscope

  • Spatial resolution: ~1nm
  • Field of view: > 500nm along specimen axis, >100nm laterally
  • Mass resolution: > 1000 (M/∆MFWHM)
  • Chemical sensitivity: ~10ppm
  • Detection efficiency: ~37%, with equal sensitivity to all ion species, from H+ to large molecular ion complexes

Applications

The strength of the atom probe technique is in providing chemical and isotopic information in relation to specific nano-scale features of interest. For example, the partitioning of elements to a particular phase, grain boundary, or defect. Regions of interest can be targeted by preparation of needle-shaped specimens using a focussed ion beam (FIB).

Earth Science

  • Characterization of minerals and ores
  • Nanogeochronology
  • Trace element mapping
  • Extra-terrestrial isotope analysis

Metal alloys

  • Steels
  • Alloy engineering
  • Oxides and corrosion processes

Semiconductors

  • Device structures
  • Multi-layer structures
  • III-V semiconductors