Tohoku University Institute for Metals Research Upgrades Imago Leap Atom-Probe Capabilities
Jan. 6, 2009
Yokohama, Japan and Madison, WI, United States - Noah Corporation and Imago Scientific Instruments jointly announced today that Tohoku University has installed a Laser Pulse Module(TM) and Large Angle Reflectron(TM) in their Imago atom probe located at the university's Institute for Materials Research, Ibaraki Japan. The atomic-scale, three-dimensional imaging and analysis provided by the atom probe is utilized by researchers at Tohoku University, National Institute of Material Science (NIMS), Kyoto University, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), and Tokyo University, and in collaborations with private microelectronics companies such as SELETE.
Tohoku University Professor, Yasuyoshi Nagai comments, "The Imago atom probe has the unique ability to build a three-dimensional representation of the sample that includes the type and location of every atom in the sampled volume. In our group, we study irradiation effects on nuclear and related materials. For example, we study the embrittlement of nuclear reactor vessel steels by neutron irradiation. Atom-probe enables us to detect and quantify solute nano clusters and solute segregation on grain boundaries and interfaces. This information is difficult or impossible to obtain by any other method and is complementary to the information we obtain using positron annihilation."
Nagai continues, "The Laser Pulse Module upgrade expands the range of materials we can study in our atom probe. With the Laser Pulse Module upgrade, our atom probe can be applied to poor electrical conductors, such as CMOS devices and ceramics. The Large Angle Reflectron upgrade dramatically improves the mass resolution of the instrument while maintaining the large field of view. This enables us to quantify material properties with enhanced sensitivity and precision."
Imago President, Emmanuel Lakios adds, "Imago and Noah Corporation, Imago's distributor in Japan, are honored that our upgrade was selected by Tohoku University. Imago invests heavily in R&D and this investment has benefited both prospective new customers and customers who have previously purchased an Imago atom probe. We have developed a steady stream of instrumentation breakthroughs-most recently the Laser Pulse Module(TM) (2005), DT200(TM) detector (2006), and the Large Angle Reflectron (2007)-and each of these breakthroughs has been available to the installed base as a field upgrade. The Large Angle Reflectron and Laser Pulse Module were awarded the prestigious R&D 100 award in 2008 and 2006, respectively. We have shipped eight Large Angle Reflectrons and fifteen Laser Pulse Modules to date."
About Noah
Noah Corporation, established in 2001, offers state-of-the-art products from the United States and Europe to Japanese semiconductor industry and materials research organizations. Appointed in 2004 as a distributor of Imago's cutting-edge LEAP®
microscope in Japan, Noah has successfully achieved sales of LEAP microscopes by providing excellent field service and technical support.
About Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation
Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation is the recognized world leader in the development of atom-probe tools and solutions for manufacturers, engineers, scientists and researchers involved in the nano-technology revolution. Imago has a worldwide customer base and delivers support from a number of locations in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia Pacific. For more information, see www.imago.com.
CONTACT:
Jason Schneir, Ph.D.
Director of Marketing
Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation
+01.608.274.6880
jschneir@imago.com
www.imago.com
