Effect of laser power and specimen temperature on atom probe analyses of magnesium alloys

The influence of laser power, wave length, and specimen temperature on laser assisted atom probe analyses for Mg alloys was investigated. Higher laser power and lower specimen temperature led to improved mass and spatial resolutions. Background noise and mass resolutions were degraded with lower laser power and higher specimen temperature. By adjusting the conditions for laser assisted atom probe analyses, atom probe results with atomic layer resolutions were obtained from all the Mg alloys so far investigated. Laser assisted atom probe investigations revealed detailed chemical information on Guinier–Preston zones in Mg alloys.

Research highlights
► We study performance of UV laser assisted atom probe analysis for Mg alloys.
► There is an optimized range of laser power and specimen temperature.
► Optimized UV laser enables atom probe data of Mg alloys with high special resolution.