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

Journal Article · Wed Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2019.04.003· OSTI ID:1572888

Paul, Michael ^[1]; Pardo, Richard C. ^[2]; Collon, Philippe ^[3]; Kutschera, Walter ^[4]; Rehm, K. Ernst ^[2]; Scott, Robert ^[2]; Vondrasek, Richard C. ^[2]

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1. The Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem (Israel)
2. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
3. Univ. of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (United States)
4. Univ. of Vienna, Vienna (Austria)

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 (t_1/2 = 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. In conclusion, 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.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Israel Science Foundation (ISF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP) (SC-26)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1572888
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms Journal Issue: C Vol. 456; ISSN 0168-583X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Accelerator mass spectroscopy
ECR ion source
Gas-filled magnet
Noble-gas radionuclides
Superconducting linear accelerator