Radiocarbon dating of microgram samples: Accelerator mass spectrometry and electromagnetic isotope separation

Accelerator mass spectrometric determination of carbon-14 in the low-polarity organic fraction of atmospheric particles

“…Recently, the advent of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has allowed samples containing only a few tens of micrograms of carbon to be analyzed (22)(23)(24). The importance of AMS for environmental applications has been stressed by Currie and co-workers (17,23).…”

Chemical Isotope Dilution for 14C Ams and the Potential for GC/AMS

“…The advent of accelerator-based mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating has reduced the minimum sample size required to ca 1 mg from the 1 g of traditional beta counting techniques (cf Wolfli, Polach & Andersen, 1984). However, it is clear that even smaller samples will be necessary for some fields of endeavor, particularly environmental work where the absolute quantities are small, perhaps of the order of a few micrograms (Currie et al, 1985). This raises serious problems in the handling and measurement of such small amounts, so that dilution will sometimes be required.…”

“…However, it is clear that even smaller samples will be necessary for some fields of endeavor, particularly environmental work where the absolute quantities are small, perhaps of the order of a few micrograms (Currie et al, 1985). This raises serious problems in the handling and measurement of such small amounts, so that dilution will sometimes be required.…”

Applications of Radiocarbon Dating Method

“…Thanks to a technical development allowing 14 C analysis of samples containing micrograms of carbon, 14 C analysis at the molecular level became possible (Currie et al 1985). Ingalls and Pearson (2005) gave an overview of the applications developed in the first decade of CSRA.…”