Modernizing Accelerator Mass Spectrometer Data Acquisition

In Accelerator Mass Spectrometry [AMS] signal and digital processing instrumentation capture measurements of the ratio of rare isotopes to stable isotopes, such as carbon 14 to carbon 13. The importance of accuracy, speed and maintainability in their data acquisition [DAQ] systems is paramount. The goal of this project was to build a test bed to prototype a new architecture for AMS DAQ. A 90’s vintage CAMAC Crate Controller [CCC] was replaced by an Ethernet based controller. This allows replacement of an obsolete unsupported computer and circuit cards with a general-purpose computer with Ethernet communications, i.e., a Mac Mini. A test bed with a NIM crate and a CAMAC crate were assembled. Relevant aspects of the older AMS system were replicated; a pulse generator simulated an ion detector and LabVue simulated the older MAC. Once this test bed was debugged a CAEN CCC replaced the older CCC. New CCC command sequences were debugged using a telnet interface to its ASCII TCP/IP socket port. Then a new program was written for the Mac Mini Studio basic program to send either single crate commands, scripts containing command sequences or LUA programs to the CCC and store the measurement results on the MAC. In this project, a prototype/test bed exploiting newer DAQ technologies was built as a basis for completing a robust DAQ tool and for developing and testing further enhancements

System for trapping and storing gases for subsequent chemical reduction to solids

A system for quantitatively reducing oxide gases. A pre-selected amount of zinc is provided in a vial. A tube is provided in the vial. The zinc and the tube are separated. A pre-selected amount of a catalyst is provided in the tube. Oxide gases are injected into the vial. The vial, tube, zinc, catalyst, and the oxide gases are cryogenically cooled. At least a portion of the vial, tube, zinc, catalyst, and oxide gases are heated

A High Throughput Method for the Conversion of CO2 Obtained from Biochemical Samples to Graphite in Septa-sealed Vials for Quantification of 14C Samples via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

The growth of accelerator mass spectrometry as a tool for quantitative isotope ratio analysis in the biosciences necessitates high-throughput sample preparation. A method has been developed to convert CO2 obtained from carbonaceous samples to solid graphite for highly sensitive and precise 14C quantification. Septa-sealed vials are used along with commercially available disposable materials, eliminating sample cross contamination, minimizing complex handling, and keeping per sample costs low. Samples containing between 0.25 and 10 mg of total carbon can be reduced to graphite in 4 h in routine operation. Approximately 150 samples per 8-h day can be prepared by a single technician

A new accelerator Mass Spectrometry System for 14C-quantification of Biochemical Samples

A compact accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system that meets our requirements for View the MathML source-quantification of biochemical samples is described. The spectrometer occupies approximately 5 m2 of floor space and can measure \u3e300 samples per day with 3% precision. A long diffuse gas cell is used to destroy interfering molecules and to charge exchange injected negative ions. System sensitivity is \u3c1 amol View the MathML source/mg carbon on milligram-sized samples with a dynamic range that extends over 4 orders magnitude. All components, with the exception of the ion source, are commercially available and the system operates reliably with low maintenance

relevant Adriamycin concentrations

accelerator mass spectrometry at clinicall