Objectives

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Up (AMS-14C)

General Objective

Specific Objectives

International Advisory Board

EU project INCO-CT-2006-043584

General Objective

The main objective of the proposed project is to implement the new technique of ¹⁴C dating of very small samples in the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Rudjer Bošković Institute (RBI) in Zagreb, Croatia, with the aim of reinforcing research potential of the Laboratory. Very small samples of the size of mg can be dated by the AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) technique. For this purpose all samples have to be converted to carbon (graphite) targets and then the measurement is performed at the accelerator. Therefore, the goal is to establish a rig (preparation vacuum line) for preparation of graphite targets from various samples for radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating by AMS in the RBI Radiocarbon Laboratory, and to establish a close co-operation with an accelerator facility in EU MS countries. A help in the implementation of the new technique is expected from the University of Glasgow (UGLA), specifically from the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), which is the subcontractor of this project

Implementation of the graphite preparation technique at the RBI Laboratory includes the rig construction, testing and validation of the accepted method, and finally intercomparison of the ¹⁴C age of unknown samples prepared both on the new rig in the Laboratory in Zagreb and in the UGLA/SUERC Laboratory.

Specific Objectives

Specialized training (2 months) of the young researcher should be performed at the UGLA/SUERC AMS facility in Glasgow, where he/she can become acquainted with both the preparation of graphite targets and measurement at the accelerator.

Scientific visits of senior researchers from the RBI Radiocarbon Laboratory to UGLA/SUERC (3 × 2 weeks) to learn about the preparation method, about AMS measurement, data evaluation, and quality control.

Hosting the experts of UGLA/SUERC in AMS ¹⁴C dating in the RBI Laboratory (2 weeks)

Establishment of close cooperation between the two laboratories: graphite targets prepared in the RBI Laboratory in future will be measured by the UGLA/SUERC accelerator unit.

Upgrading/renewal of the equipment needed for graphite preparation line, including purchase of NIST standard samples, PC, sensors and interfaces, chemicals, quartz tubes, various spare parts for AMS-graphite vacuum line, etc.

Hiring a young person for a limited period of time (several months) with the specific task of preparing software (after his training for 3 weeks) for on-line control of the new preparation line, as well as upgrading of the existing electronic system and utility software, and development of an integrated database.

Dissemination – spread of information to wider scientific community and public

International Advisory Board

Within the Project AMS-14C the International Advisory Board (IAB) is formed. The main task of the IAB is to supervise the implementation of the new experimental technique at RBI. This includes giving suggestions and recommendations when needed, helping in the decision-making process, cross-checking of the new database, and suggesting corrective actions, if needed. The co-ordinator of the AMS-14C project will serve as the responsible person for communication between IAB and RBI staff.

The following members of the IAB accepted the invitation and agreed to supervise the implementation of the AMS technique at the Rudjer Bošković Institute:

Ines Krajcar Bronić, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, project co-ordinator and person for communication

Gordon Cook, University of Glasgow, Glasgow

Marian Scott, University of Glasgow, Glasgow

Nada Horvatinčić, Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb

Pieter Grootes, University of Kiel, Kiel