Extending Continuum Models for Atom Probe Simulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces an advanced simulation tool for 3D atom probe tomography that extends existing level-set algorithms to model shape changes in samples under electrostatic fields with improved flexibility and accuracy.

Contribution

It presents novel extensions to level-set algorithms enabling non-axially symmetric 3D simulations in atom probe tomography with minimal computational cost.

Findings

Successfully models 3D shape evolution in APT samples

Maintains computational efficiency with non-axially symmetric solutions

Provides a practical tool for atom probe simulation studies

Abstract

This work describes extensions to existing level-set algorithms developed for application within the field of Atom Probe Tomography (APT). We present a new simulation tool for the simulation of 3D tomographic volumes, using advanced level set methods. By combining narrow-band, B-Tree and particle-tracing approaches from level-set methods, we demonstrate a practical tool for simulating shape changes to APT samples under applied electrostatic fields, in three dimensions. This work builds upon our previous studies by allowing for non-axially symmetric solutions, with minimal loss in computational speed, whilst retaining numerical accuracy.