Analysis of nanoscale fluid inclusions in geomaterials by atom probe tomography: Experiments and numerical simulations
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Authors
Organisational units
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 language | English |
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Article number | 113092 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Ultramicroscopy |
Volume | 218.2020 |
Issue number | November |
Early online date | 5 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2020 |