Our group focuses on understanding the atomic-level structural chemistry using atom probe tomography (APT). The material features we probe include direct 3D visualization of atoms within the analyzed material structures, accurate stoichiometry, confident detection/quantification of impurity or trace elements, small precipitates within the buried hetero-structures and interfacial roughness/abruptness. The unique strength of our group involves employing machine learning (ML) on APT data to extract patterns and link it to known material features. This enables predicting different materials’ properties beyond the capabilities of conventional APT analysis. The rare combination of APT–ML in our group is helping the materials science community to understand and develop wide range of novel material systems including wide bandgap semiconductors, ceramics, quantum materials and many more.
The research group was established in August 2017, following the installation of a Local Electrode Atom Probe, CAMECA LEAP 5000-XR. The LEAP is housed in the Department of Materials Design and Innovation within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the SUNY University at Buffalo.