Non-standard AMS nuclides
Besides the use of the classical AMS nuclides we are developing methods to measure other long-lived radionuclides based on the underlying physics. In particular nuclides with intense isobaric interference required special effort for identification. Methods such as the Gas-Filled Magnet, the gas or foil absorber have been developed at LIP and are constantly refined.
Key parameters for optimization are defined by ion matter interactions influencing the charge state yield in the stripping process, scattering, energy loss and energy-loss straggling in degrader or detector foils. We have dedicated measurement setups to investigate theses parameters over a wide range of energies.
One project is the measurement of the half-life of 32Si, which is carried out in a SNF project together with PSI, PTB Braunschweig and other partners. 32Si is a promising cosmogenic radionuclide with a half-life of about 150 years optimal for dating the recent. Despite several measurements in the last decades the individual half-life values scatter too much for a precise and reliable half-life value. In this project we will measure the specific 32Si concentration via isotopic ratio measurement without molecular and isobaric interference of 32S.
