Abstract
THERE have been several recent reports of the detection of 14C in modern carbon samples using large van de Graaff accelerators1–3 and cyclotrons4 as mass spectrometers. The attraction of using such systems is the possibility that very small samples (∼5 mg) might be quickly and accurately dated. We have considered the design criteria for a mass spectrometer incorporating a tandem van de Graaff accelerator to be built specifically for carbon dating and in this letter we present data which show that the measurements are possible using much smaller and simpler systems than those discussed previously.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gove, H. E. (ed.) Proc. Conf. Radiocarbon Dating with Accelerators (Rochester, 1978).
Nelson, E. D., Korteling, R. G. & Stott, W. R. Science 198, 507 (1977).
Bennett, C. L. et al. Science 198, 508 (1977).
Muller, R. A. Science 196, 489 (1977).
Northcliffe, L. C. & Schilling, R. F. Nuclear Data A 7, 233 (1970).
Erskine, J. R., Braid, T. H. & Stoltzfus, J. C. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. 135, 67 (1976).
Marion, J. B. & Young, F. C. Nuclear Reaction Analysis (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1968).
Brand, K. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. 141, 519 (1977).
Barratt, P. J. S. B. et al. Proc. Conf. Radiocarbon Dating with Accelerators (Rochester, 1978).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DOUCAS, G., GARMAN, E., HYDER, H. et al. Detection of 14C using a small van de Graaff accelerator. Nature 276, 253–255 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/276253a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/276253a0
This article is cited by
-
Radioisotope clocks in archaeology
Nature (1979)
-
Enrichment of 14C and radiocarbon dating
Nature (1978)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
