Laser-assisted atom probe analysis of zirconia/spinel nanocomposite ceramics

Contrary to the conventional belief that insulators cannot be field evaporated, we have demonstrated that atom probe analysis of bulk insulating ceramics, yttoria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia with spinel dispersoids, is possible by using an ultraviolet femtosecond pulse laser. Needle-like specimens were prepared from spark plasma sintered bulk ceramics by the focused ion beam technique. Three-dimensional elemental distributions from both the zirconia and spinel have clearly demonstrated that laser-assisted field evaporation yields quantitative atom probe tomography.