Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
14:53
In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2018
Non-Destructive 3D Elemental Characterization of Multilayer Materials by ANN-Assisted Ion Beam Analysis
Victoria Corregidor1,2, Nuno P Barradas1,2, Rui C da Silva1,3
1Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela, Portugal.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new AI framework for non-destructive 3D elemental mapping in complex materials. It reveals subsurface structures in advanced devices, overcoming limitations of surface-sensitive techniques.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Artificial Intelligence
Background:
- Advanced materials rely on complex 3D structures, but subsurface analysis is challenging.
- Current non-destructive techniques are often surface-limited, hindering characterization of buried interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel framework for non-destructive 3D elemental characterization of complex materials.
- To enable detailed analysis of subsurface compositional architectures in opaque systems.
Main Methods:
- Integration of artificial neural networks with ion beam analysis techniques: Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Elastic Backscattering Spectrometry (EBS).
- Combining complementary spectral data with data-driven analysis for depth-resolved elemental mapping.
- Application to a Gallium Antimonide (GaSb) thermophotovoltaic device with multilayer metallic contacts.
Main Results:
- Successful reconstruction of 3D elemental distributions, including beneath thick gold layers in a GaSb device.
- Demonstrated enhanced sensitivity and reliable compositional feature classification using neural networks.
- Achieved full 3D visualization and quantitative/qualitative mapping by fusing PIXE and EBS data.
Conclusions:
- The AI-powered ion beam analysis framework offers a scalable strategy for 3D compositional analysis of diverse materials.
- This approach expands non-destructive characterization capabilities for energy, electronics, and functional materials.
- Highlights the synergy between advanced data-driven methods and ion beam techniques.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and refractory oxide ion...
01:21Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
01:27Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a technique used to analyze elements by measuring electromagnetic radiation (EMR) absorbed by atoms, which causes them to transition to a higher-energy orbit. The most crucial step in AAS is atomization, where the analyte is converted into gas-phase atoms, typically through a flame or furnace. Some of these atoms become thermally excited in the flame, while most remain in the ground state.
When irradiated by EMR of a particular wavelength, these...
When irradiated by EMR of a particular wavelength, these...
01:20Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...