Atom probe (Upgrade)

在过去的4年里，我们使用原子探针来表征先进的功能材料。这些研究产生了许多值得注意的发现，包括固体中新型键合机制的令人信服的证据。此外，还开发了一种新的地图，为先进功能材料的设计提供了新的规则。为了充分发挥这些发现的潜力，需要对现有的进行升级。这种升级的主要原因是更好的检测能力，检测效率提高了~ 80%，数据均匀性增强。此外，改进了激光对准协议，以提高复杂材料的测量产量。这些新功能将帮助我们更好地理解用于热电材料、相变材料和拓扑绝缘体的一类独特硫属化合物的非常规断键行为。

In the last 4 years, we have employed an atom probe to characterize advanced functional materials. These investigations have produced a number of noteworthy findings, including compelling evidence for a novel bonding mechanism in solids. Besides, a novel map has been developed which provides novel design rules for advanced functional materials. To fulfil the full potential of these discoveries, an upgrade of the existing is required. The main reasons for such upgrade are better detection capabilities with an increased detection efficiency of ~ 80% and enhanced data uniformity. Moreover, the laser alignment protocols are improved to enable increased measurement yields for complex materials. These novel capabilities will help us to better understand the unconventional bond-breaking behaviour observed for a distinct class of chalcogenides used as thermoelectrics, phase change materials, and topological insulators.