Atom probe – Oxcart

Within the framework of the ERC Starting Grant HydMet from Prof. Felfer, the new atom probe “Oxcart” was developed after a construction and testing period of about one year. The special feature of this device is that it has a measuring chamber made of titanium in order to generate a particularly low-hydrogen vacuum. This should make it possible for the first time worldwide to quantitatively measure hydrogen in the form of protium (¹H) directly on structural components. As the Oxcart is equipped with a highly efficient detector (approx. 85% detection efficiency), it is also a perfect complement to the existing Cameca LEAP 4000X HR. Initial results are comparable to those obtained with commercial instruments, but the self-construction allows a high flexibility in the experimental setup. This applies to the measurement as well as to sample preparation and possibly heat treatments. It takes its name from the American high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft Lockheed A-12 Oxcart, the first aircraft made mainly of titanium.

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