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 information at the atomic scale. The Geoscience Atom Probe (GAP) Facility specialises in the application of APT to geological samples. For the latest results and further information on the facility, visit the Geoscience Atom Probe website.

The GAP facility is particularly focused on geoscience research, through application in a wide variety of material systems are also possible.

LEAP 4000X HR ATOM PROBE MICROSCOPE

LEAP 4000X HR Atom Probe Microscope

Detection efficiency: ~37%; Equal sensitivity to all ion species, from H+ to large molecular ion complexes.

 

 

LEAP 4000X HR ATOM PROBE MICROSCOPE

LEAP 4000X HR Atom Probe Microscope

Spatial resolution: less than 1nm; Field of view: larger than 200nm (3D), larger than 500nm (1D); TOF mass resolution: higher than 1000 (M/∆MFWHM); Chemical sensitivity: less than 10ppm.

Applications

The strength of the APT technique is in providing chemical 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
  • Geochronology
  • 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