T02_P20

Implementation of Fe/Zn graphitization method in Dendrochronological laboratory at AGH University of Science and Technology , Krakow, Poland 

Krąpiec M¹, Rakowski A²,  Molnar M³, Pawlyta J¹, Huels M⁴

¹AGH, Kraków, Poland, ²SUT, Gliwice, Poland, ³ATOMKI, Debrecen, Hungary, ⁴Uni Kiel, Kiel, Germany

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is the most common measuring technique used in the radiocarbon dating. The procedure of age determination with this technique is divided into two parts: sample preparation and measurement. Sample preparation includes mechanical and chemical processes of cleaning, combustion, graphitization and pressing into sample holder to form a perfect cathode.  Fe/Zn method for preparation of graphite targets for AMS measurements of radiocarbon concentration has been tested in the Dendrochronological Laboratory at AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków. Performance of the method was tested with samples of NIST Ox-II, IAEA standards (IAEA C3, C5, C6, and C8), and blank samples. The test confirms good reproducibility of results obtained for the samples prepared using this method.