The first dedicated local electrode atom probes (LEAP [a
trademark of Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation]) have been
built and tested as commercial prototypes. Several key performance
parameters have been markedly improved relative to conventional
three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) designs. The Imago LEAP can operate
at a sustained data collection rate of 1 million atoms/minute. This
is some 600 times faster than the next fastest atom probe and large
images can be collected in less than 1 h that otherwise would take many
days. The field of view of the Imago LEAP is about 40 times larger than
conventional 3DAPs. This makes it possible to analyze regions that are
about 100 nm diameter by 100 nm deep containing on the order of 50 to
100 million atoms with this instrument. Several example applications
that illustrate the advantages of the LEAP for materials analysis are
presented.