Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows

Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2020. Atom probe tomography (APT) is used to quantify atomic-scale elemental and isotopic compositional variations within a very small volume of material (typically <0.01 μm3). The small analytical volume ideally contains specific compositional or microst...

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Main Authors: Rickard, William, Reddy, Steven, Saxey, David, Fougerouse, Denis, Timms, Nick, Daly, L., Peterman, E., Cavosie, Aaron, Jourdan, Fred
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE190101307
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79363
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author Rickard, William
Reddy, Steven
Saxey, David
Fougerouse, Denis
Timms, Nick
Daly, L.
Peterman, E.
Cavosie, Aaron
Jourdan, Fred
author_facet Rickard, William
Reddy, Steven
Saxey, David
Fougerouse, Denis
Timms, Nick
Daly, L.
Peterman, E.
Cavosie, Aaron
Jourdan, Fred
author_sort Rickard, William
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2020. Atom probe tomography (APT) is used to quantify atomic-scale elemental and isotopic compositional variations within a very small volume of material (typically <0.01 μm3). The small analytical volume ideally contains specific compositional or microstructural targets that can be placed within the context of the previously characterized surface in order to facilitate a correct interpretation of APT data. In this regard, careful targeting and preparation are paramount to ensure that the desired target, which is often smaller than 100 nm, is optimally located within the APT specimen. Needle-shaped specimens required for atom probe analysis are commonly prepared using a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM). Here, we utilize FIB-SEM-based time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to illustrate a novel approach to targeting <100 nm compositional and isotopic variations that can be used for targeting regions of interest for subsequent lift-out and APT analysis. We present a new method for high-spatial resolution targeting of small features that involves using FIB-SEM-based electron deposition of platinum "buttons" prior to standard lift-out and sharpening procedures for atom probe specimen manufacture. In combination, FIB-ToF-SIMS analysis and application of the "button" method ensure that even the smallest APT targets can be successfully captured in extracted needles.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-793632022-09-06T03:22:46Z Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows Rickard, William Reddy, Steven Saxey, David Fougerouse, Denis Timms, Nick Daly, L. Peterman, E. Cavosie, Aaron Jourdan, Fred FIB-SEM FIB-ToF-SIMS atom probe tomograpy sample preparation Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2020. Atom probe tomography (APT) is used to quantify atomic-scale elemental and isotopic compositional variations within a very small volume of material (typically <0.01 μm3). The small analytical volume ideally contains specific compositional or microstructural targets that can be placed within the context of the previously characterized surface in order to facilitate a correct interpretation of APT data. In this regard, careful targeting and preparation are paramount to ensure that the desired target, which is often smaller than 100 nm, is optimally located within the APT specimen. Needle-shaped specimens required for atom probe analysis are commonly prepared using a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM). Here, we utilize FIB-SEM-based time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to illustrate a novel approach to targeting <100 nm compositional and isotopic variations that can be used for targeting regions of interest for subsequent lift-out and APT analysis. We present a new method for high-spatial resolution targeting of small features that involves using FIB-SEM-based electron deposition of platinum "buttons" prior to standard lift-out and sharpening procedures for atom probe specimen manufacture. In combination, FIB-ToF-SIMS analysis and application of the "button" method ensure that even the smallest APT targets can be successfully captured in extracted needles. 2020 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79363 10.1017/S1431927620000136 eng http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE190101307 fulltext
spellingShingle FIB-SEM
FIB-ToF-SIMS
atom probe tomograpy
sample preparation
Rickard, William
Reddy, Steven
Saxey, David
Fougerouse, Denis
Timms, Nick
Daly, L.
Peterman, E.
Cavosie, Aaron
Jourdan, Fred
Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title_full Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title_fullStr Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title_full_unstemmed Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title_short Novel Applications of FIB-SEM-Based ToF-SIMS in Atom Probe Tomography Workflows
title_sort novel applications of fib-sem-based tof-sims in atom probe tomography workflows
topic FIB-SEM
FIB-ToF-SIMS
atom probe tomograpy
sample preparation
url http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DE190101307
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79363