What Is the Atom Probe?

Atomic probe is a quantitative microscopic analysis instrument. By analyzing the atoms of different elements one by one, the distribution pattern of atoms of different elements in a metal sample in nanospace can be drawn. The atomic probe is an irreplaceable analytical method to understand the heterogeneity of the chemical composition of the microregion of the substance from the analysis of atom by atom. Has now developed into three-dimensional atom probes.

Atomic probe is a quantitative material microscope

Atomic probes include a three-stage vacuum cavity to provide

Torr's high vacuum and liquid nitrogen cooling device to ensure that the ambient temperature of the analysis room is 20-80K. In addition, it is equipped with 1KV-10KV high-voltage power distribution device, laser module, supporting air cushion shock-absorbing air compressor, water cooler and other accessories.

Atomic probes are based on

The atomic probe requires the sample to be needle-shaped and the tip size to be 10-100nm. The quality of the sample directly determines whether the data can be easily collected and the quality of the data. Because the sample is collected under the high electric field (1KV-10KV), it is subject to strong stress. The size of the electric field is related to the radius of the sample tip. The larger diameter will cause the electric field and stress to be too large, which will cause the sample to break and fly out. Continue collecting data.

Ordinary metal samples are usually prepared by electrolytic polishing: the samples are made into filaments or rods (0.5 * 0.5 * 10 cubic millimeters), plus DC or AC (depending on the material) polished up and down in a strong acid solution, and the current is controlled at 0.01 ~ 0.02A. Then it was transferred to a microscope for further polishing, the acid solution was changed to a lower concentration, and the cathode was a platinum ring with a diameter of about 5 mm. Until the tip is thrown below 100nm.

For non-conductive samples and special samples for positioning (positioning to obtain grain boundaries and precipitation of equivalent samples), usually use

Atomic probe is a technology that analyzes the atoms of different elements one by one, and gives the distribution pattern of the atoms of different elements in nano-space, which can be quantitatively analyzed. It is the most microscopic analysis technique with high accuracy at present. . It is an irreplaceable analysis method for atomic probes to understand the heterogeneity of the chemical composition of matter micro-area from the analysis of atom by atom. Direct observation of Cottrell air mass; analysis of atom segregation at the interface; study of the precipitation process of the dispersed phase; study of atomic diffusion and crystal nucleation during amorphous crystallization;

Atom probe is in

Atomic probe equipment is very expensive precision equipment. The purchase price of the instrument is about 30-50 million, and the experimental cost is high. Only CAMECA is produced worldwide (after CAMECA was acquired by AMETEK). The instrument model is LEAP, which has been developed to LEAP5000.