Optimization of Parameters for Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of β-Tricalcium Phosphates

The biocompatibility and resorption characteristics of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP, Ca-3(PO4)(2)) have made it a coveted alternative for bone grafts. However, the underlying mechanisms governing the biological interactions between beta-tricalcium phosphate and osteoclasts remain elusive. It has been speculated that the composition at grain boundaries might vary and affect beta-TCP resorption properties. Atom probe tomography (APT) offers a quantitative approach to assess the composition of the grain boundaries, and thus advance our comprehension of the biological responses within the microstructure and chemical composition at the nanoscale. The precise quantitative analysis of chemical composition remains a notable challenge in APT, primarily due to the influence of measurement conditions on compositional accuracy. In this study, we investigated the impact of laser pulse energy on the composition of beta-TCP using APT, aiming for the most precise Ca:P ratio and consistent results across multiple analyses performed with different sets of analysis conditions and on two different instruments.