ing atomic structures in 3D: Polytechnique Montréal now has the most powerful atom probe available in North America, and the first in Québec

Montréal, Thursday, November 14, 2024 - Polytechnique Montréal today marked a milestone in its involvement in high-technology materials development, with the inauguration of facilities housing the first atom probe tomography microscope in Québec, and the first model of its generation in North America.

November 14, 2024

The atom probe analyzes samples maintained at a temperature of -230oC using liquid helium. (Photo: Polytechnique Montréal)

Procured thanks to financial support totalling $8.3 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Government of Québec and other partners, the Invizo® 6000 3D atom probe microscope will be used by researchers from across the country to seek answers to questions in a range of scientific disciplines, from microelectronics to biology to the design of alloys. Université de Montréal, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), McGill University and Université de Sherbrooke are among the partner organizations in the initiative that led to the implementation of this leading-edge technology at Polytechnique Montréal.

One atom at a time

3D distribution of silicon and germanium atoms in a quantum well-based spin qubit (Photo: Polytechnique Montréal)

The Invizo 6000 analyzes the atomic composition of a sample by evaporating its atoms one by one to generate a three-dimensional image of the object at an unprecedented level of detail. An onboard mass spectrometer identifies not only the nature of each atom, but also its isotopic form. The tool is sensitive enough to recognize the smallest atoms, even hydrogen and lithium.

This technology can be harnessed to advance design of next-generation semiconductors and quantum materials sensitive to atomic variations and impurities. The atom probe also opens the door to greater understanding of fine structures, such as those inside batteries, or biological tissues like bone.

"There is no other instrument that can access the realm of the infinitely small with this degree of precision," explains Oussama Moutanabbir, Professor in Polytechnique Montréal's Department of Engineering Physics and Scientific Director of the platform dubbed PolyAPT.

He adds: "Development of materials and devices for technological applications has always been closely linked to improvements in characterization techniques, and this new tool opens up all sorts of possibilities for us."

The delivery of the atom probe tomography microscope to Polytechnique helps Montréal maintain its strategic positioning within the high-tech ecosystem in Québec and the rest of Canada. The device will help drive development of advanced materials with applications in such fields as quantum information technology, nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, energy conversion and storage, metal alloys for aerospace, biointegrated technologies and biomaterials.

ABOUT POLYTECHNIQUE MONTRÉAL

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's largest engineering education and research institutions. It is located on the Université de Montréal campus, the largest French-language university campus in the Americas. With some 60,000 graduates to date, Polytechnique has educated over 22% of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec's current membership. Polytechnique offers more than 120 programs taught by over 300 professors, and welcomes in excess of 10,000 students yearly. It has an annual operating budget of $300 million, including a research budget of $100 million.

INFORMATION AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Martin Primeau
Advisor - Media Relations - Science Outreach
Polytechnique Montréal
514 805-0797
[email protected]