A Gas Ion Source for Radiocarbon Measurements at 200 kV

The novel tabletop miniaturized radiocarbon dating system (MICADAS) at ETH Zurich features a hybrid Cs sputter negative ion source for the measurement of solid graphite and gaseous CO2 samples. The source produces stable currents of up to 6 μA C− out of gaseous samples with an efficiency of 3–6%. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiocarbon 2007, Vol.49 (2), p.307-314
Main Authors: Ruff, M, Wacker, L, Gäggeler, H W, Suter, M, Synal, H-A, Szidat, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Geochronology
Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology
Measurement
Methodology
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Summary:The novel tabletop miniaturized radiocarbon dating system (MICADAS) at ETH Zurich features a hybrid Cs sputter negative ion source for the measurement of solid graphite and gaseous CO2 samples. The source produces stable currents of up to 6 μA C− out of gaseous samples with an efficiency of 3–6%. A gas feeding system has been set up that enables constant dosing of CO2 into the Cs sputter ion source and ensures stable measuring conditions. The system is based on a syringe in which CO2 gas is mixed with He and then pressed continuously into the ion source at a constant flow rate. Minimized volumes allow feeding samples of 3–30 μg carbon quantitatively into the ion source. In order to test the performance of the system, several standards and blanks have successfully been measured. The ratios of 14C/12C could be repeated within statistical errors to better than 1.0% and the 13C/12C ratios to better than 0.2%. The blank was
ISSN:0033-8222
1945-5755
DOI:10.1017/S0033822200042235