Routine Checks in the Uppsala Conventional 14C Laboratory to Achieve Reliable Results

Abstract

I describe here a series of routine self-checks that the Uppsala 14C laboratory performs with all measurements. We estimate all uncertainties in the physical measurement of a sample. We study long-term stability, calculate mean values for oxalic acid and background and compare expected and real statistical distributions of uncertainties. To reduce the risk of bias, the samples from each series are almost exclusively run on the same counter. Some samples are, however, run on two or more counters to check the possible bias to achieve reliable activity comparisons with other laboratories. It is always possible to trace which counter is used, since different number series are used for different counters.