Convolutional neural network-assisted recognition of nanoscale L12 ordered structures in face-centred cubic alloys

Nanoscale L1(2)-type ordered structures are widely used in face-centered cubic (FCC) alloys to exploit their hardening capacity and thereby improve mechanical properties. These fine-scale particles are typically fully coherent with matrix with the same atomic configuration disregarding chemical species, which makes them challenging to be characterized. Spatial distribution maps (SDMs) are used to probe local order by interrogating the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of atoms within reconstructed atom probe tomography (APT) data. However, it is almost impossible to manually analyze the complete point cloud (>10 million) in search for the partial crystallographic information retained within the data. Here, we proposed an intelligent L1(2)-ordered structure recognition method based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The SDMs of a simulated L1(2)-ordered structure and the FCC matrix were firstly generated. These simulated images combined with a small amount of experimental data were used to train a CNN-based L1(2)-ordered structure recognition model. Finally, the approach was successfully applied to reveal the 3D distribution of L1(2)-type delta '-Al-3(LiMg) nanoparticles with an average radius of 2.54 nm in a FCC Al-Li-Mg system. The minimum radius of detectable nanodomain is even down to 5 angstrom. The proposed CNN-APT method is promising to be extended to recognize other nanoscale ordered structures and even more-challenging short-range ordered phenomena in the near future.

Automated summary

A CNN-based intelligent L1(2)-ordered structure recognition method was proposed for revealing the 3D distribution of nanoparticles in FCC alloys. The approach allows detection of nanodomains with a minimum radius down to 5 angstrom and shows promise for recognizing other nanoscale ordered structures in the future.