A versatile cryo-transfer system, connecting cryogenic focused ion beam sample preparation to atom probe microscopy

PLoS One. 2021 Jan 19;16(1):e0245555. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245555. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Atom probe tomography (APT) is a powerful technique to obtain 3D chemical and structural information, however the 'standard' atom probe experimental workflow involves transfer of specimens at ambient conditions. The ability to transfer air- or thermally-sensitive samples between instruments while maintaining environmental control is critical to prevent chemical or morphological changes prior to analysis for a variety of interesting sample materials. In this article, we describe a versatile transfer system that enables cryogenic- or room-temperature transfer of specimens in vacuum or atmospheric conditions between sample preparation stations, a focused ion beam system (Zeiss Crossbeam 540) and a widely used commercial atom probe system (CAMECA LEAP 4000X HR). As an example for the use of this transfer system, we present atom probe data of gallium- (Ga)-free grain boundaries in an aluminum (Al) alloy specimen prepared with a Ga-based FIB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry
  • Aluminum / chemistry
  • Analytic Sample Preparation Methods / instrumentation*
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Microscopy*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Aluminum

Grants and funding

C.M., M.H. and P.F. acknowledge financial support by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology for the joint projects in the framework of the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11) of Forschungszentrum Jülich. The authors would also like to acknowledge funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) via the Cluster of Excellence ‘Engineering of Advanced Materials’ (project EXC 315). The funders provided support in the form of salaries for authors CM and MH, but did not have any role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.