An environmental transfer hub for multimodal atom probe tomography.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Sensitive samples require controlled environments during transfer to prevent degradation.
• Atom probe tomography (APT) analysis is hindered by ambient sample loading in commercial instruments.
• Maintaining sample integrity is crucial for accurate three-dimensional structural and chemical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional environmental transfer hub for precise sample handling.
• To enable controlled cryogenic or room-temperature transfer of specimens under various pressure conditions.
• To overcome limitations in current atom probe tomography sample loading procedures.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a novel environmental transfer hub.
• Integration of the hub with an atom probe tomography system.
• Demonstration of controlled cryogenic transfer of an intact organic molecule.

Main Results:

• Successful controlled cryogenic transfer of an intact organic molecule into the atom probe.
• Acquisition of previously unavailable mass spectral analysis of the organic molecule.
• Demonstrated utility of the environmental transfer hub for preserving sample integrity.

Conclusions:

• The environmental transfer hub facilitates precise sample preparation and transfer, preserving sample integrity.
• This technology enables new scientific investigations by analyzing untainted samples.
• The hub opens possibilities for time-resolved in situ atom probe studies across various disciplines.