Discover the European Atom Probe User Meeting in Marseille
The 2025 European Atom Probe User Meeting brought together a vibrant community of materials scientists, researchers, and industry experts who share a common passion for atom probe tomography (APT).
Hosted in the picturesque city of Marseille, France, and co-hosted by Dr. Alain Portavoce from IM2NP, the meeting served as a platform for exchanging ideas, introducing fundamentals to new users, and fostering collaboration in materials science.
Hands-On Atom Probe Training for New Users
The meeting began with a half-day APT training session led by Rob Ulfig and Katherine Rice, primarily geared towards users new to atom probe tomography. After an introductory lecture on the basics and technology of atom probe, attendees split into two groups for hands-on sessions on the IM2NP LEAP 6000 XR™ and live training on reconstruction using AP Suite 6.
The interactive nature of the training allowed attendees to engage directly with experts, ask questions, and gain practical insights from the experts at CAMECA.
📘 Participants were also invited to sign up for our free training resources, available at CAMECA APT Customer Training.
Scientific Talks: Innovations in Atom Probe Research
The main conference featured a series of engaging presentations showcasing the wide range of research conducted using atom probe technology. Highlights included:
-
Dr. Sonia Guehairia from the Hultgren Laboratory at KTH, presenting her work with the EIKOS-UV™, applied to steels and semiconductors
- Dr. Ivan Povstugar on the combined APT-TEM approach, TOMO
- Ya-Lan Hsu and her fascinating analysis of dinosaur teeth
- Day two covered equally exciting topics such as meteorites, additive manufacturing, and nuclear material safety
Figure Supported Questions (FSQ): Collaborative Problem Solving
A standout feature of the meeting was the “Figure Supported Questions (FSQ)” session.
This format allowed attendees to ask questions about data analysis issues, or specimen preparation, or other challenges in their research in a collaborative and supportive environment.
FSQs has become a popular feature of APT user’s meetings and something we hope to continue!
Poster Session & Flash Talks: Emerging APT Research
The poster session gave researchers the opportunity to present their work in a more informal setting, complemented by “flash talk” highlighting the key points of each poster.
A highly relevant presentation was by Nicolas Kostwein, who spoke about green steels, a growing area of interest in atom probe research.
🌱 Green steel and how the atom probe can help make a greener, cooler world: a conversation with Professor Dierk Raabe.
The diversity of topics and the quality of research presented were truly impressive, reflecting the dynamic nature of the atom probe community.
Networking and Social Events in Marseille
Beyond the scientific program, the meeting offered ample opportunities for social interaction and networking. Coffee breaks, lunches, and an evening reception at L’Archevêché created a relaxed atmosphere where attendees could forge new collaborations, and friendships and strengthen existing ones.
Conclusion: APT Community Growth and Future Outlook
The European Atom Probe User Meeting was a resounding success. It provided a valuable forum for knowledge exchange and reinforced the strong sense of community among APT users.
The half-day training session and the excellent talks were particularly well-received, highlighting the organizers' commitment to fostering both education and innovation. As the field continues to evolve, meetings like this will play a crucial role in shaping its future and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
🎯 CAMECA looks forward to hosting another European User Meeting in the future, continuing to support innovation and education in atom probe tomography.
📸 Highlights in Pictures
-
Dr. Alain Portavoce and Dr. Katherine Rice, meeting co-hosts
- Dinner at L’Archevêché, Marseille
- Dr. Richard Forbes, demonstrating the fundamentals of field evaporation science
- Dr. Constantinos Hatzoglou, presenting on dynamic voltage reconstruction
We would like to thank all the attendees for joining us for such an excellent meeting and we look forward to the next edition of the meeting and the continued growth of the atom probe community in Europe and beyond.
Authors: Katherine RICE