High precision 14C AMS at CIRCE

The CIRCE AMS system started operation in March 2005. The measurement of isotopic ratios C-14/C-12 in samples of archaeological and environmental interest has rapidly attained high precision and accuracy levels in routine operation. The results of the intercomparison campaign in the framework of the VIRI program, as well as the outcome of a statistical analysis of the about 200 control measurements performed with standard samples, have shown the capability of the whole system for high precision measurements (delta R/R < 0.3%), allowing systematic investigations in both archaeological and environmental sciences. Al-26 AMS has been implemented for the measurement of the astrophysically relevant Mg-25(p,gamma)Al-26 reaction cross section, while a beam line is under construction for the measurement of actinides isotopic ratios. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.