June 2021: Denis Fougerouse's Conversation article on gold segregation to dislocations in pyrite reaches 430,000 views!
A recent paper led by Denis Fougerouse outlining the segregation of gold to deformation-related dislocations in pyrite is the subject of a new Conversation piece outlining how this work may aid the optimisation of gold extraction from pyrite. Click the Conversation image to access the article.
July 2020: Microscopy Australia ‘MicroChat’ on FIB-SEM based ToF-SIMS
On 16 July 2020 Dr Will Rickard presented a webinar on “Applications and advantages of FIB-SEM based ToF-SIMS” as part of a 'MicroChat' series organised by Microscopy Australia.
2020 Geoscience Atom Probe publications

The Geoscience Atom Probe research group have published a comprehensive review of geoscience applications of atom probe tomography, including a front-cover image (right). It is published in Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, under an open-access licence.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ggr.12313
In April 2020, data from the facility was published as part of a multi-technique study into vapour phase mineralization of cristobalite in samples from the Cordón Caulle volcano, Chile. This work was led by Ian Schipper of Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2020-7236
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ggr.12313
In April 2020, data from the facility was published as part of a multi-technique study into vapour phase mineralization of cristobalite in samples from the Cordón Caulle volcano, Chile. This work was led by Ian Schipper of Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2020-7236
Atom Probe Tomography & Microscopy Conference 2018 - Washington, DC 10-15 June 2018
The biennial atom probe community meeting was attended by Steve Reddy and David Saxey. A wide range of research was presented from the Geoscience Atom Probe facility, including an overview of atom probe geoscience applications presented by David in the 2018 Honorary J.H. Block Memorial Lecture.
Goldschmidt 2017 - Workshop on Nanoscale Correlative Microscopy for Geoscientists
The Geoscience Atom Probe Group, together with Anne-Magali Seydoux-Guillaume (CNRS, Jean Monnet University, St Etienne), held a workshop on ‘Nanoscale Correlative Microscopy for Geoscientists’ prior to the 2017 Goldschmidt Conference in Paris.
The workshop presented an overview of several nanoscale analysis techniques of use to geoscientists, including EBSD, transmission-EBSD, high-resolution SEM and TEM, FIB-based ToF-SIMs mapping, and Atom Probe Microscopy. About 25 delegates attended the two-day meeting, which allowed for some thorough discussions of the different techniques and examples of their application to geoscience research problems. Thank you to all those who attended and presented at the workshop, for making it an interesting and successful meeting.
The workshop presented an overview of several nanoscale analysis techniques of use to geoscientists, including EBSD, transmission-EBSD, high-resolution SEM and TEM, FIB-based ToF-SIMs mapping, and Atom Probe Microscopy. About 25 delegates attended the two-day meeting, which allowed for some thorough discussions of the different techniques and examples of their application to geoscience research problems. Thank you to all those who attended and presented at the workshop, for making it an interesting and successful meeting.
Workshop on Nanoscale Correlative Microscopy for Geoscientists, 12-13 August 2017, held prior to the Goldschmidt Conference in Paris
Paper on sulfidiation of refractory metal nuggets in the early Solar System, published in Geology
"Nebula sulfidation and evidence for migration of 'free-floating' refractory metal nuggets revealed by atom probe microscopy”, recently published in Geology, has revealed the incorporation of sulphur into some of the first solid material to have condensed during the early stages of solar system formation. This has significance for the dynamics of the photo-planetary disc, prior to and during formation of the planets, and reveals some of the first geochemical evidence for large solar-system-wide transport processes that were at work during this early phase.
The paper was published in the September 2017 issue of Geology, with lead author Luke Daly. The manuscript can be accessed here: doi.org/10.1130/G39075.1
The paper was published in the September 2017 issue of Geology, with lead author Luke Daly. The manuscript can be accessed here: doi.org/10.1130/G39075.1
Paper on Nanogeochronology of Zircon in Science Advances
The Geoscience Atom Probe Facility makes its first foray into the emerging field of nanogeochronology. Using the Cameca LEAP 4000X HR, nanometer-scale reservoirs of radiogenic Pb were visualised and dated to obtain a zircon crystallization age and show the mechanisms responsible for zircon discordance.
The paper titled “Nanogeochronology of discordant zircon measured by atom probe microscopy of Pb-enriched dislocation loops” was published in Science Advances on 2 September 2016, with lead author Emily Peterman from Bowdoin College, Maine, USA. The open-access manuscript can be downloaded here: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/9/e1601318.full.pdf
The paper titled “Nanogeochronology of discordant zircon measured by atom probe microscopy of Pb-enriched dislocation loops” was published in Science Advances on 2 September 2016, with lead author Emily Peterman from Bowdoin College, Maine, USA. The open-access manuscript can be downloaded here: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/9/e1601318.full.pdf
Geoscience Atom Probe Facility Publishes First Paper
The first publication from the Geoscience Atom Probe Facility has just come out as a Letter in American Mineralogist. The paper presents a new model for the formation of gold nanoparticles in arsenopyrite. The paper is open access and can be downloaded here: www.minsocam.org/MSA/AmMin/TOC/2016/open_access/AM101P1916.pdf
Goldschmidt 2016 - Workshop on Atom Probe Microscopy for Geoscientists
Steven Reddy, David Saxey and colleague Alberto Perez-Huerta (University of Alabama) recently ran a successful two-day workshop on "Atom Probe Microscopy for Geoscientists" as part of the Goldschmidt 2016 meeting in Yokohama, Japan (25-26th June 2016).
Delegates of the "Atom Probe for Geoscientists" Workshop at Goldschmidt 2016 in Yokohama. From L-R: John Valley, Timmons Erickson, Denis Fougerouse, Aaron Cavosie, James Darling, Carolyn Crow, Steve Reddy, Des Moser, David Saxey, Sohei Sukenaga, Alberto Perez-Huerta, Takeshi Kasama & Ikshu Gautam
15 Dec 2015 - Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy MP and Senator Linda Reynolds visited the Geoscience Atom Probe during an ‘innovation tour of Perth’.
PhD Projects at the Geoscience Atom Probe
Opportunities to apply for a PhD project within the GAP facility will arise from time-to-time. Information will be posted here when available.
GAP talk presented at GSA 2015
Some exciting new atom probe data from reidite-bearing shocked zircon was presented at GSA2015 in Baltimore, USA. The abstract is available here
28th July 2015: Tescan Press Release: Tescan Lyra commissioned at Curtin University
Curtin Media Release: New atom probe to provide researchers with ore-some views
Cameca News: Australia Success
Paydirt Article: Probing the small side for bigger picture research