The HVEE 14C System at Groningen

Abstract

Since May 1994, a new-generation accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) has been fully operational at the Centre for Isotope Research in Groningen, The Netherlands. The fully automated and high-throughput accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system, manufactured by High Voltage Engineering Europa (HVEE) is dedicated to radiocarbon analysis. The HVEE 4130 14C AMS is able to analyze up to 3000 samples per year. The system is characterized by simultaneous transport of all three isotopes (12C, 13C,14C) and 14C analysis with a precision below 0.5 pMC and a daily stability below 0.5 pMC. We present here a system description together with stability and performance measurements.