• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2016

Atom probe tomography is a time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based microanalysis technique based on the field evaporation of surface atoms of a tip-shaped specimen under an extremely high surface electric field. It enables three-dimensional characterization for deeper understanding of chemical nature in conductive materials at nanometer/atomic level, because of its high depth and spatial resolutions and ppm-level sensitivity. Indeed, the technique has been widely used to investigate the elemental partitioning in the complex microstructures, the segregation of solute atoms to the boundaries, interfaces, and dislocations as well as following of the evolution of precipitation staring from the early stage of cluster formation to the final stage of the equilibrium precipitates. The current review article aims at giving a comment to first atom probe users regarding the limitation of the techniques, providing a brief perspective on how we correctly interprets atom probe data for targeted applications.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2012

The present paper gives an overview about the Atom Probe Tomography technique and its application to powder materials. The preparation of needle-shaped Atom Probe specimens from a single powder particle using focused-ion-beam milling is described. Selected experimental data on mechanically alloyed (and sintered) powder materials are presented, giving insight into the atomic-scale elemental redistribution occurring under powder metallurgical processing.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.122-126
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• 2013

The heterogeneous nucleation of the ${\Theta}^{\prime}$ phase on nanoscale precipitates has been investigated using a combination of three-dimensional atom probe tomography and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Two types of ${\Theta}^{\prime}$ phases were observed, namely small (~2 nm thick) cylindrical precipitates and larger (~100 nm) globular precipitates and both appear to be heterogeneously nucleated on the nanoscale precipitates. The composition and crystal structure of precipitates were directly analyzed by combination of two advanced characterization techniques.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.476-485
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• 2024

Understanding the structure-property relationship in functional materials is crucial as microstructural features such as nano-precipitates, phase boundary, grain boundary segregation, and grain boundary phases play a key role in their functional properties. Atom probe tomography (APT) is an advanced analytical technique that allows for the three-dimensional (3D) mapping of atomic distributions and the precise determination of local chemical compositions in materials. Moreover, it offers sub-nanometer spatial resolution and chemical sensitivity at the tens of parts per million (ppm) level. Owing to its unique capabilities, this technique has been employed to uncover the 3D elemental distributions in a wide range of materials, including alloys, semiconductors, nanomaterials, and even biomaterials. In this paper, various kinds of examples are introduced for elucidating structure-property relationships on functional materials by utilizing the atom probe tomography.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2016

Atom probe tomography (APT) has been fast rising in prominence over the past decade as a key tool for nanoscale analytical characterization of a range of materials systems. APT provides three-dimensional mapping of the atom distribution in a small volume of solid material. The technique has evolved, with the incorporation of laser pulsing capabilities, and, combined with progress in specimen preparation, APT is now able to analyse a very range of materials, beyond metals and alloys that used to be its core applications. The present article aims to provide an overview of the technique, providing a brief historical perspective, discussing recent progress leading to the state-of-the-art, some perspectives on its evolution, with targeted examples of applications.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.673-682
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• 2012

Three dimensional atom probe tomography (3D APT) is applied to characterize the dissimilar metal joint which was welded between the Ni-based alloy, Alloy 690 and the low alloy steel, A533 Gr. B, with Alloy 152 filler metal. While there is some difficulty in preparing the specimen for the analysis, the 3D APT has a truly quantitative analytical capability to characterize nanometer scale particles in metallic materials, thus its application to the microstructural analysis in multi-component metallic materials provides critical information on the mechanism of nanoscale microstructural evolution. In this study, the procedure for 3D APT specimen preparation was established, and those for dissimilar metal weld interface were prepared near the fusion boundary by a focused ion beam. The result of the analysis in this study showed the precipitation of chromium carbides near the fusion boundary between A533 Gr. B and Alloy 152.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2016

Currently, focused ion beams (FIB) are widely used for specimen preparation in atom probe tomography (APT), which is a three-dimensional and atomic-scale compositional analysis tool. Specimen preparation, in which a specific region of interest is identified and a sharp needle shape created, is the first step towards successful APT analysis. The FIB technique is a powerful tool for site-specific specimen preparation because it provides a lift-out technique and a controllable manipulation function. In this paper, we demonstrate a general procedure containing the crucial points of FIB-based specimen preparation. We introduce aluminum holders with moveable pin and an axial rotation manipulator for specimen handling, which are useful for flipping and rotating the specimen to present the backside and the perpendicular direction. We also describe specimen preparation methods for nanowires and nanopowders, using a pick-up method and an embedding method by epoxy resin, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.213-216
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• 2009

In this study, three cold-rolled TRIP steels containing different Al content (0.04wt%, 1.0 wt.% and 2.00wt%) were fabricated to understand the complex effects of Al in TRIP steel. The influences of Al on microstructural evolution of cold-rolled TRIP steels have been analyzed by using advanced analysis techniques, such as transmission electron microscope (TEM) and three dimensional atom probe tomography (3D-APT). TEM results revealed that second phases such as bainte and retained austenite decrease with increase of Al content. In addition, 3D-APT was used to characterize atomic-scale distribution of alloying elements at the constituent phases. Through these analysis techniques, the advanced characteristics of constituent microstructure in TRIP steels were identified depending on Al contents in TRIP steels.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.273-276
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• 2008

In this study, microstructure and distribution of alloy elements were investigated in thermo-mechanically processed C-Mn-Si transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. The microstructures of TRIP steels were investigated by using advanced analysis techniques, such as three dimensional atom probe tomography (3D-APT). At first, the microstructure was observed by using TEM. TEM results revealed that microstructure of C-Mn-Si TRIP steel was composed of ferrite, bainte, and retained austenite. 3D-APT was used to characterize atomic-scale partitioning of added elements at the phase interface. In the retained austenite phase, Ti and B were enriched with C. However, there was no fluctuation of Mn and Si concentration across the interface. Through these analysis techniques, the advanced characteristics of constituent microstructure in C-Mn-Si TRIP steels were identified.