Why the New Free Software?
In the last two decades the use of atom probe tomography has grown from a few labs around studying metals to over 150 systems in 20 countries with world class researchers studying materials as diverse as moon rocks, hydrogen in advanced alloys, and cutting-edge semiconductor devices. Modern systems are easy and fast to use and provide unique three-dimensional compositional information with subnanometer spatial resolution over regions hundreds of nanometers in size. Although as Figure 1. shows, the global pandemic did slow the growth of peer reviewed articles, it did not slow the growth of atom probe systems being installed and used for nanoscale materials research. This also means an explosion of collaborators who work in different labs but use the atom probe for research. Data analysis often becomes the responsibility of the system owner because the software was not wildly available and needed to be connected to the atom probe’s database to be effective. The Atom Probe Suite (APS) Access Program solves this problem by giving collaborators access to the FULL data reconstruction and analysis module, IVAS 6. The installation of the standalone software is fast and easy, and it comes with a comprehensive user manual and access to online training.
Figure 1: APT Publications and the cumulative number of modern APT systems over time. Publication numbers based on Web of Science search terms: APT, 3DAP.
The AP Suite Access Program was created to support our exiting Atom Probe users and promote the usage of Atom Probe Tomography (APT) in the wider scientific community. CAMECA is offering
AP Suite software access for scientists collaborating with academic, industrial, and government research groups equipped with APT instruments. These software licenses offer the full functionality of the latest released versions and will be provided free of charge. Users will also have access to a full portfolio of
online software training modules to allow them to independently develop APT data analysis expertise as dictated by their own research needs, benefiting both the collaborator and the APT owner. This program builds on the success of the
IVAS LT program that gave only limited analysis capabilities.
This Sounds Too Good to Be True – Who Qualifies for this Program?
You must be:
- A research scientist or student, employed by or affiliated with a recognized academic institution, a for profit company, or a government research laboratory, conducting
- In collaboration with a participating APT group from a different institution. Note, members of existing APT groups or their colleagues at the same institution do not qualify for this initiative
- To participate in this program, the Atom Probe Group must have their APT instrument either under warranty or full-service contract coverage
What type of license will be provided, and what type of workstation should I use?
It will be a fully functional AP Suite 6 license of the latest generation. Access will be provided by means of a nontransferable software key (installed on one computer meeting the
minimum hardware configuration). Access will also be provided to new software releases as these become available. In return for the provision of this free software access, CAMECA requires that participants notify us of any results publicly presented/published by providing PDFs of presentations and/or literature references to us
here. To get this license, you will need to generate a license request file (
instructions are displayed after submitting the form). The electronic license will ONLY work on the computer that is used to generate the license.
How do I apply?
Application can be made at
AP Suite Access Program (atomprobe.com).
What is the duration of the license, and can it be extended?
The electronic license will have a duration of 12 months. Upon expiration, you will be able to reapply for another period of access. Publicly-presented research enabled by AP Suite software access must be shared with CAMECA for license renewal.
Is there a limit to the number of collaborators at an APT lab?
The number of collaborator licenses will be limited to five per instrument. However, if this number is insufficient, CAMECA is willing to discuss special cases for additional support.
Figure 2: The AP Suite Access Program provides a fully functional software license to academic collaborators of APT groups around the world.
The AP Suite Access Program provides valuable software to researchers around the world and CAMECA gets to see what world-class research is being done so future designs can take account of trends in research – a true win-win situation!
To get familiar with Atom Probe Tomography in less than 3 minutes, watch our whiteboard animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXiDO4vjfVg
Author: Robert Ulfig (Senior Applications & Business Developer)