Analysis of nanoscale fluid inclusions in geomaterials by atom probe tomography: Experiments and numerical simulations

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Renell Dubosq
  • B Gault
  • C Hatzoglou
  • K Schweinar
  • F Vurpillot
  • A Rogowitz
  • D Schneider

External Organisational units

  • University of Ottawa
  • Universität Wien
  • Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
  • Imperial College London
  • Normandie Université

Abstract

The spatial correlation between defects in crystalline materials and trace element segregation plays a fundamental role in determining the physical and mechanical properties of a material, which is particularly important in naturally deformed materials. Herein, we combine electron backscatter diffraction, electron channelling contrast imaging, scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography on a naturally occurring metal sulphide in an attempt to document mechanisms of element segregation in a brittle-dominated deformation regime. Within APT reconstructions, features with a high point density comprising O-rich discs stacked over As-rich spherules are observed. The combined microscopy data allow us to interpret these as nanoscale fluid inclusions. Our observations are confirmed by simulated APT experiments of core-shell particles with a core exhibiting a very low evaporation field and the shell emulating a segregated layer at the inclusion interface. Our data has significant trans-disciplinary implications to the geosciences, the material sciences, and analytical microscopy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number113092
Number of pages10
JournalUltramicroscopy
Volume218.2020
Issue numberNovember
Early online date5 Aug 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020