Detection of tritium using accelerator mass spectrometry

Currently, the detection of ambient levels of tritium in the atmosphere using beta decay techniques is limited by the need for large sample volumes and long sampling and processing times. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) can significantly reduce both the counting time and the sample size in tritium measurements. Using the Crocker Nuclear Laboratory (CNL) cyclotron we have achieved an efficiency of 1.8x10-5 with a T/H ratio of 2.2x10-13 using a sample size of 32 mBq (0.85 pCi). Counting times were between 4 to 6 min. An analysis of the current results as well as future improvements will be discussed. The current research demonstrates the great potential for a dedicated, monoenergetic, low energy AMS system to meet the needs of low-level tritium detection. (orig.)