The 14C-AMS Laboratory at IF-UFF

Full text: In 2009 a radiocarbon sample preparation laboratory dedicated to Accelerator Mass Spectrometry was installed at the Physics Institute of the Fluminense Federal University. At the Radiocarbon Laboratory samples of several kinds of materials such as charcoal, sediments, wood and shells go through specific chemical treatment and conversion to carbon dioxide. Graphite reduction is performed in sealed Pyrex tubes, using Zinc, Titanium Hydrate, and iron catalyst within an inner tube. Samples have been successfully produced yielding fluffy homogeneous graphite leading to high and stable currents in the ion source. For sample measurement an accelerator system produced by the National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC), was installed in the Physics Institute. The machine, specially developed to carbon analysis, is the State of the Art in 14C - AMS studies and its acquisition represent a very important step for Brazil towards the development of science and technology regarding radiocarbon studies. The system includes an open air deck 250 kV single stage electrostatic accelerator with magnetic and electrostatic analyzers that enable isotope separation and detection. Radiocarbon concentrations are measured to 1 part in 1015 with precision of 0.3 The Nuclear Applied Physics group on Chronological Studies is now performing multidisciplinary research in collaboration with Brazilian and foreign groups from several fields of science such as Archaeology, Geophysics, Oceanography and Biology, in studies on the evolution of marine, terrestrial and Antarctic ecosystems. (author)