Effect of crystallographic orientation on atom probe tomography geochemical data?

Area of Science:

• Geochemistry
• Materials Science
• Mineral Physics

Background:

• Atom probe tomography (APT) is a powerful nanoscale microscopy technique for geological analysis.
• Fundamental aspects of APT, particularly crystallographic orientation effects, require further investigation for mineral applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of crystallographic orientation on APT geochemical data quality in minerals.
• To assess the impact of crystal morphology and symmetry on APT data reproducibility.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of spinel, galena, and barite using atom probe tomography.
• Comparison of geochemical data and 3D reconstructions across different crystallographic orientations.
• Evaluation of 2D density maps for spatial distribution patterns.

Main Results:

• Crystallographic orientation showed a negligible effect on bulk and isotopic chemical composition.
• 3D reconstructions displayed consistent ion species distribution for each mineral.
• 2D density maps revealed identical or specular patterns, indicating data reproducibility.

Conclusions:

• Crystallographic orientation has minimal impact on APT geochemical data for highly symmetric minerals.
• Mineral structure and composition may influence stoichiometry and element distribution density.
• APT remains a reliable tool for nanoscale geological investigations.