Status report of the first AMS laboratory in the Czech Republic at the Nuclear Physics Institute, Rez

The first accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratory in the Czech Republic has been established and put into routine operation in February 2022. Here we briefly describe the facilities available, namely a 300 kV multi-isotope low-energy AMS system (MILEA) capable of determination Be-10, C-14, Al-26, Ca-41, I-129, isotopes of U, especially U-236, Pu and other actinoids, and accessories for C-14 measurements, which include a gas interface system, a preparative gas chromatography system for compound-specific radiocarbon dating analysis, and an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The first results achieved for separation and measurement of the above radionuclides (except for Ca-41) are also reported, with the main focus on C-14 measurements. A specimen breakdown of 729 graphitised samples analysed for C-14 so far is presented, as well as a proof of measurement stability of the MILEA system obtained by analysis of radiocarbon standards and analytical blanks. For the other radionuclides, well proven or novel procedures for sample preparation and measurement are presented.

Automated summary

The first accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) laboratory in the Czech Republic has been established and put into routine operation in February 2022. It is equipped with a 300 kV multi-isotope low-energy AMS system (MILEA) capable of analyzing various isotopes, including C-14. The laboratory has achieved successful separation and measurement of radionuclides and has presented results and procedures for sample preparation and measurement.