The first few decades of work with APT focused on metals. However, with the introduction of the laser pulsed atom probe systems applications have expanded to semiconductors, ceramic and geologic materials, with some work on biomaterials. The most advanced study of biological material to date using APT involved analyzing the chemical structure of teeth of the radula of chiton Chaetopleura apiculata. In this study, the use of APT showed chemical maps of organic fibers in the surrounding nano-crystalline magnetite in the chiton teeth, fibers which were often co-located with sodium or magnesium. This has been furthered to study elephant tusks, dentin and human enamel.
the fiRsT Few DecadES of worK wITh Apt FoCuSed on MeTalS. however, wITH the INTrOdUction of The LAser PUlsed atom prObE sysTems AppLiCAtioNs have eXPanDed to semicondUCtOrs, CeramiC AND geolOgic MateriAls, witH sOme WoRk on biOmATeRialS. THE most advaNced study OF bioloGiCAL matERiAl To daTe UsinG apT iNvolved Analyzing THe cHEMical StrUctUre of teeth Of ThE RaDula of chIton chAetopleURa ApicUlAtA. in ThiS sTudy, The Use Of Apt sHoWED cHemiCal MapS of oRganic fibeRs iN tHe surRouNDing nAnO-CrystalLiNE magNetiTe in The Chiton teeth, FIbers whIch wEre Often co-located wItH sodIum or mAGneSiUm. tHIs HaS bEen fUrThEreD to studY elEphant TuskS, DEntin And huMan enAmeL.