Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
S. Winkler, V. Mbele, R. Khosa, L. B. Corbett, P. Bierman, A. Hidy, T. Brown, T. V. Makhubela, J. Kramers, S. Tooth
Summary: This study demonstrates the implementation of full suppression of the interfering isobar 10B using a silicon nitride foil-stack for high efficiency AMS. The performance and accuracy of the AMS system at iThemba LABS are demonstrated through standards and intercomparison with another laboratory. The results show good agreement for 10Be, indicating the reliability of iThemba LABS in measuring cosmogenic nuclides.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Matthias Schlomberg, Christof Vockenhuber, Hans -Arno Synal, Mario Veicht, Ionut Mihalcea, Dorothea Schumann
Summary: A new accelerator mass spectrometry method has been developed to detect and separate 32Si and 32S isotopes. The method utilizes a passive absorber cell in front of a gas ionization chamber at an energy of 30 MeV to achieve separation while minimizing background noise caused by light recoils. This new method is currently undergoing characterizations aiming to measure the half-life of 32Si.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Erin L. Flannigan, Jean-Francois Alary, William E. Kieser, Lisa M. Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery
Summary: The Isobar Separator for Anions (ISA) is a system that allows for selective isobar suppression and transmission in low energy systems. By using helium gas as a cooling buffer and NO2 as a reaction gas, significant suppression of S- and transmission of Cl- can be achieved.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
T. L. Bailey, A. M. Clark, L. Callahan, A. D. Nelson, M. Paul, M. Schiffer, D. Blankstein, P. Collon
Summary: Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) with 53Mn is used as a chronometer in geology to determine exposure and burial times of discontinuously deposited sediments. It is also employed to search for evidence of recent supernovae events and monitor the variation in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum. This study conducted measurements on samples with 53Mn/55Mn ratios ranging from 10-10 to 10-8 using a 10 MV tandem accelerator and a gas-filled magnet spectrograph.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
T. -Y Xia, W. -W Sun, S. Ebser, W. Jiang, G. -M Yang, H. -M Zhu, Yun-Chong Fu, F. Huang, G. -D Ming, T. Xia, Z. -T Lu
Summary: In this study, the atom-trap trace analysis method was used to measure Ca-41/Ca ratios at the level of 10(-16) and achieved a detection limit at the level of 10(-17). This method has the potential to explore the suitability of Ca-41 as a tracer.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Martin Martschini, Johannes Lachner, Karin Hain, Michael Kern, Oscar Marchhart, Johanna Pitters, Alfred Priller, Peter Steier, Andreas Wiederin, Alexander Wieser, Robin Golser
Summary: Ion-laser interaction is a new means of isobar suppression in accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) that provides high suppression factors and allows for the analysis of established and new isotopes. It has been proven to be reliable and robust, and can be applied to any AMS machine.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Stefan Pavetich, Anton Wallner, Harry Bottero, L. Keith Fifield, Michaela B. Froehlich, Yanan Huang, Dominik Koll, Zsolt Revay, Zuzana Slavkovska, Johannes H. Sterba, Stephen G. Tims
Summary: This study discusses the use of neutron activation and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in determining the cross sections of Zirconium-93, addressing the main challenges in AMS analysis of Zr-93 and laying the groundwork for accurate measurements of the neutron-capture cross sections of Zr-92 at HIAF.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Carlos Vivo-Vilches, Georg Rugel, Johannes Lachner, Dominik Koll, Konstanze Stuebner, Sebastian Fichter, Stephan Winkler, Anton Wallner
Summary: The performance of 41Ca measurements at DREAMS was improved in terms of overall efficiency and suppression of interfering isobar 41K. Mixing CaF2 samples with Ag and PbF2 increased the negative ionization efficiency by a factor 3. This improvement allows for a 95% confidence level sensitivity of 41Ca/40Ca ratio of 2 x 10-15 to be achieved at DREAMS.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
A. Wallner, L. K. Fifield, M. B. Froehlich, D. Koll, G. Leckenby, M. Martschini, S. Pavetich, S. G. Tims, D. Schumann, Z. Slavkovska
Summary: Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) at the Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications at the Australian National University is performed using a 14UD tandem accelerator, which has demonstrated exceptional performance over more than three decades. The unique setup comprising an Enge split-pole spectrograph used as a gas-filled magnet has become increasingly important for efficient reduction of isobaric background. The Enge is routinely used for Be-10, Al-26, Si-32, Mn-53, and Fe-60 measurements.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical
Johannes Lachner, Martin Martschini, Andreas Kalb, Michael Kern, Oscar Marchhart, Felix Plasser, Alfred Priller, Peter Steier, Alexander Wieser, Robin Golser
Summary: The Ion-Laser InterAction Mass Spectrometry (ILIAMS) method improves sensitivity and efficiency for the detection of Al-26 by selectively neutralizing ions with lower electron affinity than the energy of the photons. It can suppress isobars by 14 orders of magnitude and be used in facilities with terminal voltages <5 MV. This new method allows for measurements with highest sensitivity and down to very low Al-26/Al-27 ratios, improving efficiency typically by a factor 3-5.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
David Baliu-Rodriguez, Benjamin J. Stewart, Ted J. Ognibene
Summary: Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a highly sensitive method for quantitating low amounts of 14C-labeled biomolecules, but it cannot provide structural information about the analyte. Liquid sample-AMS (LS-AMS) combines AMS with a molecular mass spectrometer to provide simultaneous quantitative AMS and structural MS data. The method was validated using 14C-labeled tryptophan and demonstrated by analyzing yeast cell extracts.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alexandre Goyon, Daniel Nguyen, Sara Boulanouar, Peter Yehl, Kelly Zhang
Summary: The study developed a workflow to investigate the degradation of gRNA at the single nucleotide level, identifying residues prone to degradation. Analysis of stressed gRNA samples revealed that desulfurization of phosphorothioate linkages was the major degradation observed.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mu Lin, Jixin Qiao, Xiaolin Hou, Robin Golser, Karin Hain, Peter Steier
Summary: Background check and dust control measures significantly improved the procedure blanks and detection limits for U-236 and U-233, with analytical precision relying on AMS counting statistics in the analyses of environmental-level long-lived radionuclides conducted in former or active nuclear facilities.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cameron N. Naylor, Christoph Schaefer, Stefan Zimmermann
Summary: As IMS is increasingly used in combination with mass spectrometry, understanding the ion-neutral collisional cross sections (CCS) becomes crucial for identifying unknown analytes in complex samples. However, the commonly used method of calculating CCS values, the Mason-Schamp equation, has inherent limitations and errors, particularly when applied to low-pressure instruments that require calibration. Existing corrections based on field strength are inadequate due to the use of atomic ions in atomic gases, while most applications involve molecules in nitrogen. In this study, halogenated anilines were measured in air and nitrogen using a first principles ion mobility instrument (HiKE-IMS), allowing for a direct calculation of reduced mobilities (K-0) and alpha functions, and a detailed analysis of CCS as a function of E/N. It was found that the method used could lead to over a 55% difference in CCS values for molecular ions measured at high fields, potentially leading to misidentification when comparing with a database.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qi Xiao, Fangfei Zhang, Luang Xu, Liang Yue, Oi Lian Kon, Yi Zhu, Tiannan Guo
Summary: This paper summarizes the advances and limitations of biomarkers in cancer research, as well as the important applications of mass spectrometry technology in proteomics. The article emphasizes the role of artificial intelligence technology in clinical studies, as well as the importance of combining computational and statistical methods in biomarker research.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Richard F. Ott, Dirk Scherler, Karl W. Wegmann, Mitch K. D'Arcy, Richard J. Pope, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Marcus Christl, Christoph Vockenhuber, Tammy M. Rittenour
Summary: This study quantifies sediment supply in alluvial channels of Crete and finds that past climate changes had little effect on landscape-wide denudation rates but exerted a strong control on the aggradation-incision behavior.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sarah Kamleitner, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Lucia Manatschal, Naki Akcar, Marcus Christl, Christof Vockenhuber, Irka Hajdas, Hans-Arno Synal
Summary: This study evaluates glacial landforms preserved within the former LGM Rhine glacier and the eastern lobes of the LGM Reuss glacier system to understand LGM glacier dynamics. Through geomorphological mapping and new dating techniques, it is determined that the Rhine and Reuss glaciers reached their LGM maximum positions around 26-22 ka and 25/24 +/- 2 ka respectively. The glaciers showed subsequent oscillations, with late LGM readvances occurring after 20.6 +/- 1.7 ka and 20.8 +/- 1.3 ka for the Rhine and Reuss glaciers. The results provide valuable insights into the glacial history of the Alpine forelands.
Article
Engineering, Geological
O. Adrian Pfiffner, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Zhasmin Mussina, Jordan Aaron, Olivia Steinemann, Christof Vockenhuber, Naki Akcar
Summary: The Tamins rock avalanche is located next to the Flims rock avalanche, the largest in the Alps. Its deposit forms a ridge across the Rhine Valley downstream of the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers. The deposit shows signs of spreading and has an estimated age of 9420 +/- 880 years. The motion of the rock avalanche involved fragmentation and simple shearing, leading to the formation of extensional scarps. The friction angle along the sliding surface is estimated to be 10 degrees.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Marcus Christl, Philip Gautschi, Sascha Maxeiner, Arnold Milenko Mueller, Christof Vockenhuber, Hans-Arno Synal
Summary: Compact, low-energy accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has become one of the most sensitive, selective, and robust techniques for analyzing heavy and long-lived radionuclides. This study focuses on the analytical capabilities of the compact AMS system MILEA, specifically for 236U analyses. The setup for actinide analyses and the technical setup for 23xU/238U (x = 3, 6, 5) are discussed, followed by a detailed investigation of the background and sensitivity for 236U/238U. The results demonstrate that the ETH Zurich MILEA system is well-suited for fast, reliable, high-sensitivity, and nearly background-free analyses of 236U/238U in environmental samples.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shan Xing, Chenyang Peng, Marcus Christl, Keliang Shi, Hans-Arno Synal, Xiaolin Hou
Summary: A new method was developed for simultaneous determination of transuranium nuclides using 300 kV AMS after sequential chemical separation. The method showed consistent chemical behaviors of Np and Pu on the TK200 column and Am and Cm on the DGA column during the separation process. The detection limits for all radionuclides were below femtogram level.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Urs Ramsperger, Daniele De Maria, Philip Gautschi, Sascha Maxeiner, Arnold Milenko Muller, Hans-Arno Synal, Lukas Wacker
Summary: A newly developed compact AMS system, LEA, is tested and compared with the state-of-the-art AMS system MICADAS, which has a precision performance of better than 1% for modern C-14. The main difference between these two systems is the acceleration voltage, which has been reduced from 200 kV in MICADAS to 50 kV in LEA. By measuring exactly the same samples on both systems, it is found that the LEA system is fully operational and its performance is comparable to that of the MICADAS system.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Beda A. Hofmann, Naki Akcar, Sonke Szidat, Pierre G. Valla, Marcus Christl, Christoph Vockenhuber, Twannberg Search Team
Summary: A strewn field of the Twannberg type IIG iron meteorite, similar to 10 km(2) in size, has been discovered in the Swiss Jura Mountains, 30 km northwest of Bern. Citizen scientists have been mapping the strewn field since 2006, finding over 2000 meteorite fragments with a total mass of 152.7 kg by the end of 2022. The Twannberg meteorite is a local time marker with a terrestrial age of approximately 176 ka and a minimum pre-atmospheric mass of around 250 t. The distribution of meteorites and glacially transported Alpine clasts in the area provide valuable information about ice levels and transport directions during MIS 6 and their interaction with post-LGM environmental conditions. The study suggests a high ice level during MIS 6 and possible effects of human activities since the Neolithic. The Twannberg strewn field has the potential to reveal more valuable information.
SWISS JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Clemens Todt, Sjoerd Telkamp, Filip Krizek, Christian Reichl, Mihai Gabureac, Erik Cheah, Peng Zeng, Thomas Weber, Arnold Mueller, Christof Vockenhuber, Mohsen Bahrami Panah, Werner Wegscheider
Summary: In this study, Nb thin films were in situ deposited on GaAs using a combination of molecular beam epitaxy and magnetron sputtering. The Nb films deposited at different powers were compared with a reference film from a commercial system. The results indicated clear differences between in situ and ex situ deposition, which were attributed to variations in magnetron sputtering conditions and chamber geometry. The Nb films exhibited critical temperatures of approximately 9K and critical perpendicular magnetic fields up to B-c2 = 1.4T at 4.2K. STEM images of the GaAs-Nb interface revealed the presence of an amorphous interlayer for both ex situ and in situ deposited materials.
PHYSICAL REVIEW MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Cengiz Zabci, Taylan Sancar, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Susan Ivy-ochs, Christof Vockenhuber, Anke M. Friedrich, Muge Yazici, Naki Akcar
Summary: The active tectonics of Anatolia is characterized by its westward motion between the Hellenic subduction in the west and Arabia-Eurasia continental collision in the east. Recent studies indicate significant internal strain accumulation along the parallel/subparallel strike-slip faults. Using cosmogenic 36Cl dating, the slip rate of the Ovacik Fault is estimated to be 2.4 mm/a for NF1/NF1' and 2.8 mm/a for NF1/T2.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhentao Liu, Zhaochu Luo, Ivan Shorubalko, Christof Vockenhuber, Laura J. Heyderman, Pietro Gambardella, Ales Hrabec
Summary: Strong, adjustable magnetic couplings are important for devices based on magnetic materials. This study demonstrates strong exchange-based coupling between arbitrarily shaped regions of a single ferrimagnetic layer by spatially patterning the compensation temperature. The coupling generates large lateral exchange coupling fields and can be used to control the switching of magnetically compensated dots with an electric current.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shan Xing, Chenyang Peng, Marcus Christl, Keliang Shi, Hans-Arno Synal, Xiaolin Hou
Summary: Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a highly sensitive technique for measuring long-lived actinides. A new method was developed for simultaneous determination of transuranium nuclides (Np, Pu, Am, and Cm isotopes) using 300 kV AMS. The method uses sequential chemical separation and tracers for monitoring yield. The established method has high detection efficiency and has been successfully applied in nuclear forensic investigation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Taisei Hayashi, Kensei Ichiba, Daisuke Nakauchi, Takumi Kato, Noriaki Kawaguchi, Takayuki Yanagida
Summary: In this study, Cr-doped Mg4Ta2O9 single crystals with different doping levels were synthesized using the floating zone method, and their photoluminescence and scintillation properties were evaluated. The results showed that Cr-doped Mg4Ta2O9 single crystals exhibited broad emission bands in the near-infrared region and showed scintillation characteristics within specific wavelength ranges. Additionally, the samples with different Cr doping levels demonstrated different lower detection limits based on the dose rate response function.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
S. Marouf, A. C. Chami, Y. Boudouma
Summary: This study develops a Monte Carlo simulation approach to describe proton-induced secondary electron emission in solids. Theoretical modeling based on the Mott's elastic scattering cross-section and Lindhard's dielectric function was used to calculate the double differential cross-section (DDCS) of excited electrons and describe electron transport in the medium. The results for aluminum show the angular and energy distributions of backscattered electrons for incident protons with energy below 25 keV at normal incidence, and the total electron emission yield also agrees well with available measurements.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Weipeng Yan, Baojun Duan, Zijian Zhu, Yan Song, Guzhou Song, Jiming Ma, Binkang Li, Yucheng Liu
Summary: This article reports on the scintillation performance of Lithium-doped 2D (PEA)2PbBr4 perovskite single crystals synthesized at room temperature. The crystals exhibit fast decay time, high light yield, and high spatial resolution, making them highly promising for medical diagnostic applications.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
S. B. Vishwakarma, S. K. Dubey, R. L. Dubey, I. Sulania, D. Kanjilal
Summary: Investigations have been conducted on the implanted SiO2 thin film after thermal annealing using various analytical techniques. The results revealed the absence of vacancy defects, variations in vibrational modes and the formation of new structures. The photoluminescence intensity of the annealed SiO2 samples was higher, with a decrease in non-radiative defect centers and an increase in radiative Si:SiO2 interface states. Additionally, the presence of silicon nanoclusters formed after annealing resulted in an additional radiative recombination peak. Furthermore, the formation of new SiOx structures was observed after thermal annealing.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
M. Koshimizu, S. Kurashima, A. Kimura, M. Taguchi
Summary: By observing the scintillation time profiles of CeF3 under irradiations of pulsed beams with different LETs, we found that the initial decay was faster for higher LET, which is consistent with previous studies on other self-activated scintillators. This faster decay at higher LET can be explained by the competition between the scintillation caused by 5d-4f transition of Ce3+ ions and quenching due to the interaction between excited Ce3+ ions close to each other.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Junjie Shi, Jianhong Hao, Fang Zhang, Qiang Zhao, Bixi Xue, Jieqing Fan, Zhiwei Dong
Summary: This study examined the neutralization process and beam quality of a hydrogen beam by emitting negative hydrogen ions to a hydrogen target. The findings showed that the neutralization efficiency was influenced by variables such as the transport distance, energy, and target gas density. However, the maximal neutralization efficiency was not affected by the density of the target gas or the energy of the negative hydrogen ions.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2024)
