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Curtin University (CURTIN)

Curtin University

Curtin is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships, and commitment to preparing you for jobs of the future.

Facilities

John de Laeter Research Centre

The atom-probe tomography (APT) and FIB-SEM laboratories (the Geoscience Atom Probe Facility) are housed within the John de Laeter Centre at Curtin University. The John de Laeter Centre contains analytical research infrastructures valued at more than 30M EUR and employs 25 scientists and technical support staff with a strong reputation for research support and high-quality research outputs. The centre represents a uniquely collaborative research environment, with a range of expertise and infrastructure providing support for comprehensive workflows and correlative microscopy and analysis. Learn more about the Geoscience Atom Probe, a globally recognized facility dedicated to utilizing APT in Earth and planetary science research, here.

Equipment

Atom Probe Tomography (APT):

LEAP 4000X HR Atom Probe Microscope (APT):
Local Electrode Atom Probe with reflectron ion flight path. Voltage and UV laser pulsing modes.

Focussed Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM):

Lyra (FIB-SEM):
TESCAN Lyra3 Ga+ focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM). MIRA Electron column (Field Emission). Cobra Ion column (monoisotopic 69Ga+). MonoGIS with Pt reservoir. SmarAct Nanomanipulator. Tofwerk ToF-SIMS. Oxford EDS detector. Oxford EBSD detector.

Techniques

Atom-Probe Tomography (APT):

The atom-probe and FIB-SEM laboratories are housed within the John de Laeter Centre at Curtin University. The centre represents a uniquely collaborative research environment, with the range of expertise and infrastructure providing support for comprehensive workflows and correlative microscopy and analysis. The infrastructure at Curtin University includes a CAMECA LEAP 4000X HR atom-probe microscope and TESCAN Lyra FIB-SEM, used for atom-probe specimen preparation. Atom-probe tomography (APT) provides 3D, atomic-scale analysis of samples with high sub-nm spatial resolution and isotopic sensitivity across all elements. The LEAP 4000X HR uses a UV laser and reflectron flight path that allow a wide variety of sample types to be analysed, with a high mass resolving power. This infrastructure allows researchers to perform targeted analysis of samples by APT, using the FIB-SEM and expertise to prepare APT specimens at site-specific locations to 0.1 μm precision. Features of interest such as grain boundaries, nano-particulates, chemical interfaces, and isotopic reservoirs, may be atomically characterised in three-dimensions up to a field of view of several hundred nm. Data acquisition and reconstruction are offered as part of facility access, as well as analysis and interpretation.

Processing and data acquisition software

Data Acquisition and Processing will utilise Cameca’s AP Suite software and is available as part of the standard workflow.

Sample preparation

Atom probe tomography is undertaken on small, needle-shaped specimens. These specimens are prepared at Curtin University using site specific targeting in the FIB-SEM. Atom probe specimens are typically taken from flat petrographic thin sections or polished blocks. We do not manufacture thin sections or polished blocks within the Facility, and users must provide these.

Science team

Prof. Steven Reddy (Atom Probe Specialist)
Dr. David Saxey (Senior Researcher)

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Curious to learn more?

Interested in gaining access to the EXCITE2 facilities? Please enter your email address and be one of the first to be informed when we open the first EXCITE2 call for proposals. Other questions? Contact us here.

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