title: Focused ion beam in dental research.
abstract: Focused ion beam (FIB) has been available for over 10 yrs but until recently its usage has been confined to the semiconductor industry. It has been developed as an important tool in defect analysis, circuit modification and recently transmission electron microscope sample preparation. This paper introduces FIB and demonstrates its application in dental research. Its ion and electron imaging modes complement the SEM while its ability to prepare TEM samples from a wide range of material will allow the study of new types of adhesive interface. As an example, its use is described in the characterization of the interface of resin to a tribochemically treated surface of an experimental fiber-reinforced resin-based composite. As with all new techniques, the initial learning curve was difficult to manage. This new instrument offers opportunities to expand research in dental materials to areas not possible before.
authors.affiliation: Colgate Australian Clinical Dental Research Centre, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide. hien.ngo@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cairney
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munroe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mount
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003461:Crystallography; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004583:Electrons; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007477:Ions; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D007477:Ions; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000537:Aluminum Oxide