Positive-ion accelerator mass spectrometry at ATLAS: Peaks and pits

Michael Paul*, Richard C. Pardo, Philippe Collon, Walter Kutschera, K. Ernst Rehm, Robert Scott, Richard C. Vondrasek

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion sources and the production of multiple-charge positive ions with high efficiency in combination with a heavy-ion accelerator have opened the way to an alternative and complementary version of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). A notable strength of positive-ion over traditional AMS is the capability of ultra-high sensitivity detection of radioactive isotopes of noble gases, in particular 37Ar (t1/2 = 35 d) and 39Ar (269 y). The complete dissociation of molecular ions in the ECR and in particular of hydride ions of neighboring stable isotopes results in superior isotopic separation. However, the use of high charge states, necessary for acceleration to high energy, entails the existence of severe transmission degeneracies with stable ions having nearly equal mass-to-charge ratios, in addition to that of stable isobaric ions. Separation or discrimination of these parasitic ions require powerful and sophisticated dispersive systems at detection stage. We review here work performed and in progress at the ATLAS facility of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) where an ECR ion source, a Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ), a superconducting linear accelerator and a Gas-Filled Magnet (GFM) are used as an AMS setup.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)222-229
Number of pages8
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
Volume456
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019

Keywords

  • Accelerator mass spectroscopy
  • ECR ion source
  • Gas-filled magnet
  • Noble-gas radionuclides
  • Superconducting linear accelerator

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