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Dialameh M, Ling YT, Bogdanowicz J, Zharinov VS, Richard O, Vandervorst W, Fleischmann C. Influence of the Emitter Shape on the Field-of-View in Atom Probe Tomography. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024:ozae016. [PMID: 38447171 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Atom probe tomography (APT) is a unique analytical technique that offers three-dimensional elemental mapping with a spatial resolution down to the sub-nanometer. When APT is applied on complex heterogenous systems and/or under certain experimental conditions, that is, laser illumination, the specimen shape can deviate from an ideal hemisphere. Insufficient consideration of this aspect can introduce artifacts in the reconstructed dataset, ultimately degrading its spatial accuracy. So far, there has been limited investigation into the detailed evolution of emitter shape and its impact on the field-of-view (FOV). In this study, we numerically and experimentally investigated the FOV for asymmetric emitters and its evolution throughout the analysis depth. Our analysis revealed that, for asymmetric emitters, the ions evaporated from the topmost region of the specimen (summit) project approximately to the detector center. Furthermore, we demonstrated the implications of this finding on the FOV location for asymmetric emitters. Based on our findings, the location of the center of the FOV can deviate from the specimen central axis with an evolution depending on the evolution of the emitter shape. This study highlights the importance of accounting for the specimen shape when developing advanced data reconstruction schemes to enhance spatial resolution and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Ting Ling
- Imec Vision Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudia Fleischmann
- Imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Quantum Solid-State Physics Group, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
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2
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Allen FI, Blanchard PT, Lake R, Pappas D, Xia D, Notte JA, Zhang R, Minor AM, Sanford NA. Fabrication of Specimens for Atom Probe Tomography Using a Combined Gallium and Neon Focused Ion Beam Milling Approach. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:1628-1638. [PMID: 37584510 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a new focused ion beam sample preparation method for atom probe tomography. The key aspect of the new method is that we use a neon ion beam for the final tip-shaping after conventional annulus milling using gallium ions. This dual-ion approach combines the benefits of the faster milling capability of the higher current gallium ion beam with the chemically inert and higher precision milling capability of the noble gas neon ion beam. Using a titanium-aluminum alloy and a layered aluminum/aluminum-oxide tunnel junction sample as test cases, we show that atom probe tips prepared using the combined gallium and neon ion approach are free from the gallium contamination that typically frustrates composition analysis of these materials due to implantation, diffusion, and embrittlement effects. We propose that by using a focused ion beam from a noble gas species, such as the neon ions demonstrated here, atom probe tomography can be more reliably performed on a larger range of materials than is currently possible using conventional techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances I Allen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Paul T Blanchard
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
| | - Russell Lake
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
| | - David Pappas
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
| | - Deying Xia
- Carl Zeiss SMT Inc., Danvers, MA 01923, USA
| | | | - Ruopeng Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Andrew M Minor
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Norman A Sanford
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
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3
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Jin S, Su H, Qian F, Li Y, Sha G. Effects of atom probe analysis parameters on composition measurement of precipitates in an Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy. Ultramicroscopy 2022; 235:113495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2022.113495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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4
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Gault B, Chiaramonti A, Cojocaru-Mirédin O, Stender P, Dubosq R, Freysoldt C, Makineni SK, Li T, Moody M, Cairney JM. Atom probe tomography. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2021; 1:10.1038/s43586-021-00047-w. [PMID: 37719173 PMCID: PMC10502706 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-021-00047-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Atom probe tomography (APT) provides three-dimensional compositional mapping with sub-nanometre resolution. The sensitivity of APT is in the range of parts per million for all elements, including light elements such as hydrogen, carbon or lithium, enabling unique insights into the composition of performance-enhancing or lifetime-limiting microstructural features and making APT ideally suited to complement electron-based or X-ray-based microscopies and spectroscopies. Here, we provide an introductory overview of APT ranging from its inception as an evolution of field ion microscopy to the most recent developments in specimen preparation, including for nanomaterials. We touch on data reconstruction, analysis and various applications, including in the geosciences and the burgeoning biological sciences. We review the underpinnings of APT performance and discuss both strengths and limitations of APT, including how the community can improve on current shortcomings. Finally, we look forwards to true atomic-scale tomography with the ability to measure the isotopic identity and spatial coordinates of every atom in an ever wider range of materials through new specimen preparation routes, novel laser pulsing and detector technologies, and full interoperability with complementary microscopy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Gault
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Ann Chiaramonti
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Chemicals and Materials Division, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Patrick Stender
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Renelle Dubosq
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Tong Li
- Institute for Materials, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Moody
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julie M. Cairney
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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5
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Beinke D, Bürger F, Solodenko H, Acharya R, Klauk H, Schmitz G. Extracting the shape of nanometric field emitters. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:2820-2832. [PMID: 31961355 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr08226c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The high resolution nanoanalysis by atom probe tomography is based on needle-shaped samples that represent nanometric field emitters with typical curvature radii of 50 nm. After field desorption and detection of a large set of atoms, the sample volume has to be numerically reconstructed. Conventionally, this reconstruction is performed with the assumption of a hemispherical apex. This established practice can lead to serious distortions of the tomography. In this work, we demonstrate how the real shape of the emitter can be extracted from the event density on the 2D detector setup. Except for convexity, no other restriction is imposed on the shape. The required mathematics is derived and the method is demonstrated with numerically simulated and experimental data sets of complex tip shapes. The computational effort of the method is also suitable to handle data sets of a few hundred million atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Beinke
- Chair of Materials Physics, Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Felicitas Bürger
- Fakultät für Mathematik, Universität Regensburg, D-93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Helena Solodenko
- Chair of Materials Physics, Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Rachana Acharya
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr. 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hagen Klauk
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstr. 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Guido Schmitz
- Chair of Materials Physics, Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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6
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Beinke D, Schmitz G. Atom Probe Reconstruction With a Locally Varying Emitter Shape. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2019; 25:280-287. [PMID: 30460892 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927618015350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An improved reconstruction method for atom probe tomography is presented. In this approach, the curvature of the field emitter is variable, in contrast to the conventional reconstruction technique. The information about the tip shape at different stages of the reconstruction is directly extracted from the local density of events on the detector. To this end, the detector and the tip surface are split into different segments. According to the density distribution of events observed on the detector, the size of the corresponding segment on the tip surface is calculated, yielding an emitter profile which is not necessarily spherical. The new approach is demonstrated for emitter structures with radial symmetry that contain a spherical precipitate with a substantially lower or higher evaporation field compared to the surrounding matrix. A comparison to the conventional point projection approach is made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Beinke
- Institute of Materials Science,University of Stuttgart,Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart,Germany
| | - Guido Schmitz
- Institute of Materials Science,University of Stuttgart,Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart,Germany
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7
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Mouton I, Breen AJ, Wang S, Chang Y, Szczepaniak A, Kontis P, Stephenson LT, Raabe D, Herbig M, Britton TB, Gault B. Quantification Challenges for Atom Probe Tomography of Hydrogen and Deuterium in Zircaloy-4. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2019; 25:481-488. [PMID: 30853034 DOI: 10.1017/s143192761801615x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Analysis and understanding of the role of hydrogen in metals is a significant challenge for the future of materials science, and this is a clear objective of recent work in the atom probe tomography (APT) community. Isotopic marking by deuteration has often been proposed as the preferred route to enable quantification of hydrogen by APT. Zircaloy-4 was charged electrochemically with hydrogen and deuterium under the same conditions to form large hydrides and deuterides. Our results from a Zr hydride and a Zr deuteride highlight the challenges associated with accurate quantification of hydrogen and deuterium, in particular associated with the overlap of peaks at a low mass-to-charge ratio and of hydrogen/deuterium containing molecular ions. We discuss possible ways to ensure that appropriate information is extracted from APT analysis of hydrogen in zirconium alloy systems that are important for nuclear power applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Mouton
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Andrew J Breen
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Siyang Wang
- Department of Materials,Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London,London, SW7 2AZ,UK
| | - Yanhong Chang
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Agnieszka Szczepaniak
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Paraskevas Kontis
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Leigh T Stephenson
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Dierk Raabe
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - M Herbig
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - T Ben Britton
- Department of Materials,Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London,London, SW7 2AZ,UK
| | - Baptiste Gault
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung,Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
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8
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Revealing the 3-dimensional shape of atom probe tips by atomic force microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2018; 194:221-226. [PMID: 30216823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
For the very first time, atomic force microscopy is used to determine quantitatively the 3-dimensional shape of an atom probe tip, which is key towards improved accuracy and understanding of artefacts in atom probe tomography. We have successfully measured by atomic force microscopy the apex and shank region of 3 different atom probe tips, of which two show (severe) deviations from a hemisphere due to either non-uniform laser light absorption or the presence of two different materials. Clearly, our method which overcomes the challenge of aligning two very sharp tips on top of each other, offers new pathways to study physical mechanisms in (laser-assisted) atom probe. It represents an important step towards improved reconstruction algorithms as the image formation in atom probe tomography is based on the intricate link between the tip shape (down to the atomic level), the electric field distribution and the ions' flight path towards the detector. Further on, present reconstruction algorithms solely account for a hemispherical tip shape, which does not hold true for most applications and results in complex artefacts. Therefore our method is an attractive novel approach to assess the 3D tip shape.
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9
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Self-consistent atom probe tomography reconstructions utilizing electron microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2018; 195:32-46. [PMID: 30179773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2018.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Atom probe tomography reconstructions provide valuable information on nanometer-scale compositional variations within materials. As such, the spatial accuracy of the reconstructions is of primary importance for the resulting conclusions to be valid. Here, the use of transmission electron microscopy images before and after atom probe analysis to provide additional information and constraints is examined for a number of different materials. In particular, the consistency between the input reconstruction parameters and the output reconstruction is explored. It is demonstrated that it is possible to generate reconstructions in which the input and known values are completely consistent with the output reconstructions. Yet, it is also found that for all of the datasets examined, a particular power law relationship exists such that, if the image compression factor or detection efficiency is not constrained, a series of similarly spatially accurate reconstructions results. However, if one of these values can be independently assessed, then the other is known as well. Means of incorporating these findings and this general methodology into reconstruction protocols are also discussed.
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10
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Siladie AM, Amichi L, Mollard N, Mouton I, Bonef B, Bougerol C, Grenier A, Robin E, Jouneau PH, Garro N, Cros A, Daudin B. Dopant radial inhomogeneity in Mg-doped GaN nanowires. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 29:255706. [PMID: 29620532 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aabbd6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Using atom probe tomography, it is demonstrated that Mg doping of GaN nanowires grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy results in a marked radial inhomogeneity, namely a higher Mg content in the periphery of the nanowires. This spatial inhomogeneity is attributed to a preferential incorporation of Mg through the m-plane sidewalls of nanowires and is related to the formation of a Mg-rich surface which is stabilized by hydrogen. This is further supported by Raman spectroscopy experiments which give evidence of Mg-H complexes in the doped nanowires. A Mg doping mechanism such as this, specific to nanowires, may lead to higher levels of Mg doping than in layers, boosting the potential interest of nanowires for light emitting diode applications.
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11
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Kwak CM, Kim YT, Park CG, Seol JB. Understanding of Capping Effects on the Tip Shape Evolution and on the Atom Probe Data of Bulk LaAlO3 Using Transmission Electron Microscopy. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2017; 23:329-335. [PMID: 28215196 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927617000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Two challenges exist in laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT). First, a drastic decline in mass-resolving power is caused, not only by laser-induced thermal effects on the APT tips of bulk oxide materials, but also the associated asymmetric evaporation behavior; second, the field evaporation mechanisms of bulk oxide tips under laser illumination are still unclear due to the complex relations between laser pulse and oxide materials. In this study, both phenomena were investigated by depositing Ni- and Co-capping layers onto the bulk LaAlO3 tips, and using stepwise APT analysis with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation of the tip shapes. By employing the metallic capping, the heating at the surface of the oxide tips during APT analysis became more symmetrical, thereby enabling a high mass-resolving power in the mass spectrum. In addition, the stepwise microscopy technique visualized tip shape evolution during APT analysis, thereby accounting for evaporation sequences at the tip surface. The combination of "capping" and "stepwise APT with TEM," is applicable to any nonconductors; it provides a direct observation of tip shape evolution, allows determination of the field evaporation strength of oxides, and facilitates understanding of the effects of ultrafast laser illumination on an oxide tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Min Kwak
- 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering,POSTECH,Pohang 790-784,South Korea
| | - Young-Tae Kim
- 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering,POSTECH,Pohang 790-784,South Korea
| | - Chan-Gyung Park
- 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering,POSTECH,Pohang 790-784,South Korea
| | - Jae-Bok Seol
- 2National Institute for Nanomaterials Technology (NINT),POSTECH,Pohang 790-784,South Korea
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12
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Peng Z, Choi PP, Gault B, Raabe D. Evaluation of Analysis Conditions for Laser-Pulsed Atom Probe Tomography: Example of Cemented Tungsten Carbide. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2017; 23:431-442. [PMID: 28093092 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927616012654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cemented tungsten carbide has been analyzed using laser-pulsed atom probe tomography (APT). The influence of experimental parameters, including laser pulse energy, pulse repetition rate, and specimen base temperature, on the acquired data were evaluated from different aspects, such as mass spectrum, chemical composition, noise-to-signal ratio, and multiple events. Within all the applied analysis conditions, only 1 MHz pulse repetition rate led to a strong detector saturation effect, resulting in a largely biased chemical composition. A comparative study of the laser energy settings showed that an ~12 times higher energy was required for the less focused green laser of the LEAPTM 3000X HR system to achieve a similar evaporation field as the finer spot ultraviolet laser of the LEAPTM 5000 XS system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirong Peng
- 1Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH,Max-Planck-Straße 1,40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Pyuck-Pa Choi
- 1Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH,Max-Planck-Straße 1,40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Baptiste Gault
- 1Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH,Max-Planck-Straße 1,40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
| | - Dierk Raabe
- 1Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH,Max-Planck-Straße 1,40237 Düsseldorf,Germany
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13
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Influence of laser power on atom probe tomographic analysis of boron distribution in silicon. Ultramicroscopy 2016; 173:58-63. [PMID: 27914291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between the laser power and the three-dimensional distribution of boron (B) in silicon (Si) measured by laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT) is investigated. The ultraviolet laser employed in this study has a fixed wavelength of 355nm. The measured distributions are almost uniform and homogeneous when using low laser power, while clear B accumulation at the low-index pole of single-crystalline Si and segregation along the grain boundaries in polycrystalline Si are observed when using high laser power (100pJ). These effects are thought to be caused by the surface migration of atoms, which is promoted by high laser power. Therefore, for ensuring a high-fidelity APT measurement of the B distribution in Si, high laser power is not recommended.
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14
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Khushaim M, Gemma R, Al-Kassab T. Laser-induced reversion of δ' precipitates in an Al-Li alloy: Study on temperature rise in pulsed laser atom probe. Microsc Res Tech 2016; 79:727-37. [PMID: 27297621 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The influence of tuning the laser pulse energy during the analyses on the resulting microstructure in a specimen utilizing an ultra-fast laser assisted atom probe was demonstrated by a case study of a binary Al-Li alloy. The decomposition parameters, such as the size, number density, volume fraction, and composition of δ' precipitates, were carefully monitored after each analysis. A simple model was employed to estimate the corresponding specimen temperature for each value of the laser energy. The results indicated that the corresponding temperatures for the laser pulse energy in the range of 10 to 80 pJ are located inside the miscibility gap of the binary Al-Li phase diagram and fall into the metastable equilibrium field. In addition, the corresponding temperature for a laser pulse energy of 100 pJ was in fairly good agreement with reported range of δ' solvus temperature, suggesting a result of reversion upon heating due to laser pulsing. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:727-737, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Khushaim
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ryota Gemma
- Nanofabrication Core Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Tu Y, Plotnikov EY, Seidman DN. A model Ni-Al-Mo superalloy studied by ultraviolet pulsed-laser-assisted local-electrode atom-probe tomography. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2015; 21:480-490. [PMID: 25776828 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927615000124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of the charge-state ratio of evaporated ions on the accuracy of local-electrode atom-probe (LEAP) tomographic compositional and structural analyses, which employs a picosecond ultraviolet pulsed laser. Experimental results demonstrate that the charge-state ratio is a better indicator of the best atom-probe tomography (APT) experimental conditions compared with laser pulse energy. The thermal tails in the mass spectra decrease significantly, and the mass resolving power (m/Δm) increases by 87.5 and 185.7% at full-width half-maximum and full-width tenth-maximum, respectively, as the laser pulse energy is increased from 5 to 30 pJ/pulse. The measured composition of this alloy depends on the charge-state ratio of the evaporated ions, and the most accurate composition is obtained when Ni2+/Ni+ is in the range of 0.3-20. The γ(f.c.c.)/γ'(L12) interface is quantitatively more diffuse when determined from the measured concentration profiles for higher laser pulse energies. Conclusions of the APT compositional and structural analyses utilizing the same suitable charge-state ratio are more comparable than those collected with the same laser pulse energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyou Tu
- 1School of Materials Science and Engineering,Southeast University,Jiyin Road,Jiangning District,Nanjing,Jiangsu 211189,China
| | - Elizaveta Y Plotnikov
- 2Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Northwestern University,2220 Campus Drive,Evanston,IL 60208-3108,USA
| | - David N Seidman
- 2Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Northwestern University,2220 Campus Drive,Evanston,IL 60208-3108,USA
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16
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Boll T, Thuvander M, Koch S, Wagner JN, Nedfors N, Jansson U, Stiller K. An APT investigation of an amorphous Cr-B-C thin film. Ultramicroscopy 2015; 159 Pt 2:217-22. [PMID: 25667171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A magnetron sputtered amorphous Cr-B-C thin film was investigated by means of atom probe tomography (APT). The film is constituted of two phases; a Cr-rich phase present as a few nanometer large regions embedded in a Cr-poor phase (tissue phase). The Cr-rich regions form columnar chains oriented parallel to the growth direction of the film. It was found that the Cr-rich regions have a higher B:C ratio than the Cr-poor regions. The composition of the phases was determined as approximately 35Cr-33B-30C and 15Cr-40B-42C (at%), respectively. The results suggest that this type of nanocomposite films has a more complex structure than previously anticipated, which may have an importance for the mechanical and electrical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Boll
- Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - M Thuvander
- Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - S Koch
- Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - J N Wagner
- KNMF, Karslruhe Institute of Technology, DE-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - N Nedfors
- Department of Chemistry, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - U Jansson
- Department of Chemistry, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Stiller
- Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
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Kitaguchi H, Lozano-Perez S, Moody M. Quantitative analysis of carbon in cementite using pulsed laser atom probe. Ultramicroscopy 2014; 147:51-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Revised: 06/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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18
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Vurpillot F, Gault B, Geiser BP, Larson D. Reconstructing atom probe data: A review. Ultramicroscopy 2013; 132:19-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2013.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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Full tip imaging in atom probe tomography. Ultramicroscopy 2013; 124:96-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2012.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Revised: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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Larson DJ, Geiser BP, Prosa TJ, Kelly TF. On the use of simulated field-evaporated specimen apex shapes in atom probe tomography data reconstruction. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2012; 18:953-963. [PMID: 23058657 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927612001523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability to accurately reconstruct original spatial positions of field-evaporated ions emitted from a surface is fundamental to the success of atom probe tomography. As such, a clear understanding of the evolution of specimen shape and the resultant ions' trajectories during field evaporation plays an important role in improving reconstruction accuracy. To further this understanding, field-evaporation simulations of a bilayer specimen composed of two materials having an evaporation field difference of 20% were performed. The simulated field-evaporation patterns qualitatively compare favorably with experimental data, which provides confidence in the accuracy of specimen shapes predicted by the simulation. Correlations of known original atom positions with detector hit positions as a function of lateral detector position and evaporated depth were derived from the simulation. These correlations are contrasted with the current state-of-the-art reconstruction method thus outlining limitations of the current methodology. A pair of transformations are defined that take into account field-evaporated specimen shapes, and the resulting radial magnifications, to relate recorded ion positions in detector space to reconstructed atomic positions in specimen space. This novel process, when applied to simulated data, results in approximately a factor of 2 improvement in accuracy for reconstructions of interfaces with unequal fields (most general interfaces). This method is not constrained by the fundamental assumption of a hemispherical specimen shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Larson
- Cameca Instruments, Inc., 5500 Nobel Drive, Madison, WI 53711, USA.
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21
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Gault B, Moody MP, Cairney JM, Ringer SP. From Field Desorption Microscopy to Atom Probe Tomography. ATOM PROBE MICROSCOPY 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3436-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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22
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Xie KY, Breen AJ, Yao L, Moody MP, Gault B, Cairney JM, Ringer SP. Overcoming challenges in the study of nitrided microalloyed steels using atom probe. Ultramicroscopy 2012; 112:32-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Revised: 06/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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23
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Shariq A, Mattern N. A study of phase separated Ni66Nb17Y17 metallic glass using atom probe tomography. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:1370-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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24
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Gilbert M, Vandervorst W, Koelling S, Kambham A. Atom probe analysis of a 3D finFET with high-k metal gate. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:530-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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25
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Müller M, Saxey D, Smith G, Gault B. Some aspects of the field evaporation behaviour of GaSb. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:487-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Revised: 11/01/2010] [Accepted: 11/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Dmitrieva O, Choi P, Gerstl S, Ponge D, Raabe D. Pulsed-laser atom probe studies of a precipitation hardened maraging TRIP steel. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:623-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2010] [Revised: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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27
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Mutas S, Klein C, Gerstl S. Investigation of the analysis parameters and background subtraction for high-k materials with atom probe tomography. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:546-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2010] [Revised: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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28
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Thuvander M, Andrén HO. Methods of quantitative matrix analysis of Zircaloy-2. Ultramicroscopy 2011; 111:711-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Revised: 12/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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29
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Influence of Tip Temperature on Field Evaporation in Atom Probe. E-JOURNAL OF SURFACE SCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2011.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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30
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Gault B, La Fontaine A, Moody MP, Ringer SP, Marquis EA. Impact of laser pulsing on the reconstruction in an atom probe tomography. Ultramicroscopy 2010; 110:1215-22. [PMID: 20471173 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2010.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The implementation of fast pulsed laser has significantly improved the performance of the atom probe technique by enabling near-atomic-scale three-dimensional analysis of poorly conducting materials. This has broadened the range of applications for the atom probe, addressing a major limitation of the technique. Despite this, the implications of lasing on the tomographic reconstruction of atom probe data have yet to be fully characterised. Here, we demonstrate how changes in the shape of the specimen surface, induced by laser pulsing, affect the ion trajectories, and hence the projection parameters used to build the three-dimensional map.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Gault
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks road, Oxford OX13PH, UK.
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