Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
11:33
All-electronic Nanosecond-resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Facilitating the Investigation of Single Dopant Charge Dynamics
Published on: January 19, 2018
10.1K
Dynamic Effects in Voltage Pulsed Atom Probe
Loïc Rousseau1,2, Antoine Normand1, Felipe F Morgado3
1Groupe Physique des Matériaux, Université de Rouen, Saint Etienne du Rouvray, Normandie76800, France.
Summary
Atom probe tomography (APT) can now better analyze light elements in materials. Simulations reveal dynamic effects impacting mass resolution and spatial precision, offering insights for improved instrument performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physics
Background:
- Atom probe tomography (APT) excels at nanoscale analysis of metallic alloys.
- It is crucial for quantifying light elements, which are challenging for electron/X-ray methods.
- These elements significantly influence material properties in high-strength alloys and semiconductors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the theoretical performance of commercial atom probe tomography instruments for light element analysis.
- To understand the impact of dynamic effects on mass resolution and spatial precision.
- To explore methods for optimizing APT performance for light elements.
Main Methods:
- Accurate three-dimensional transient electrostatic simulations using a time-varying field approach.
- Comparison of simulation results with experimental measurements on an FeBSi bulk-metallic glass.
- Analysis of multi-hit mass-to-charge correlations to reveal ion flight dynamics.
Main Results:
- Simulations revealed significant differences in ion projection based on mass, impacting spatial precision.
- Dynamic effects during ion flight were identified and shown to influence mass resolution.
- The study demonstrated that voltage pulse shaping can mitigate detrimental dynamic effects.
Conclusions:
- Theoretical simulations provide critical insights into APT performance for light elements.
- Dynamic effects and chromatic aberrations are key factors limiting precision for light elements.
- Optimizing voltage pulse shapes can enhance the accuracy and spatial resolution of APT for light element analysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Atomic Force Microscopy
3.9K
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
3.9K
01:25Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
1.1K
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) atomizes samples through flame atomization or electrothermal atomization. Flame atomization typically involves a nebulizer and spray chamber assembly to combine the sample with a fuel–oxidant mixture, creating a fine aerosol mist that enters a burner. Typically, the fuel and oxidant are combined in an approximately stoichiometric ratio. However, for atoms that are easily oxidized, a fuel-rich mixture may be more advantageous. Only about 5% of the...
1.1K
01:27Atomic Spectroscopy: Effects of Temperature
725
Atomization, converting samples into gas-phase atoms and ions, is essential for atomic spectroscopy. The flame temperature required for atomization affects the efficiency of the atomic spectroscopic methods by increasing the atomization efficiency and the relative population of the excited and ground states.
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
At thermal equilibrium, the relative populations of excited and ground state atoms can be estimated using the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. For example, an increase in temperature...
725
01:23Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
940
In the absence of an external magnetic field, nuclear spin states are degenerate and randomly oriented. When a magnetic field is applied, the spins begin to precess and orient themselves along (lower energy) or against (higher energy) the direction of the field. At equilibrium, a slight excess population of spins exists in the lower energy state. Because the direction of the magnetic field is fixed as the z-axis, the precessing magnetic moments are randomly oriented around the z-axis.
940
01:27π Electron Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview
1.4K
An applied magnetic field causes loosely bound π-electrons in organic molecules to circulate, producing a local or induced diamagnetic field over a large spatial volume. As the molecules tumble in solution, the field generated by π-electrons in spherical substituents results in a zero net field. However, the net field generated by π-electrons in non-spherical substituents is not zero. The effect of this induced field depends on the orientation of the molecule with respect to B0,...
1.4K
01:12Double Resonance Techniques: Overview
518
Double resonance techniques in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy involve the simultaneous application of two different frequencies or radiofrequency pulses to manipulate and observe two distinct nuclear spins. One important application of double resonance is spin decoupling, which selectively suppresses coupling with one type of nucleus while observing the NMR signal from another nucleus, simplifying the spectrum and enhancing resolution.
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
518