The Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory (PRIME Lab) is a dedicated AMS research facility. In addition to routine measurements of 10Be, 14C, 26Al, 36Cl, 41Ca, and 129I. PRIME Lab houses chemical processing facilities for both geoscience and bioscience sample preparation. Demand for higher precision, increased sample throughput, and the development of new measurement capabilities prompted numerous improvements in the AMS instrumentation. Recent work includes installation of a new ion source, amelioration of the tank sparking, addition of diagnostic tools, computer control, and improved pumping. The new ion source is a high-intensity source based on the design at CAMS with a “rabbit” sample changer based on the one developed at Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Canada. The new ion source is routinely 5 times brighter than the ion source it replaced. Tank sparking in the past occurred frequently (~ once an hour) at 7 MV; the accelerator now routinely runs at 8.75 MV with days between sparks. A terminal voltage of 10 MV has been achieved in tests. For diagnostic purposes beam profile monitors have been added at beam waists. Power supplies are being placed under computer control; the ion source can now be tuned remotely from the control room. Interlocks are being added that automatically close appropriate valves in case of vacuum accidents. Turbo pumps and CTI-8 cryogenic pumps have been added to key sections of the beam line or in many cases they have replaced older pumps. Construction is underway for two major upgrades. First, a new beam-line that will utilize a gas-filled magnet to improve measurement capabilities of 36Cl and make possible detection, at natural levels, of other radionuclides, including 32Si and 53Mn. Second, we will install an additional low-energy injector that will utilize electrostatic bouncing to switch between isotopes. The ion source will be a copy of our new ion source, with appropriate modifications. PRIME Lab is supported by the Earth Sciences directorate of the NSF and by Purdue University. The new injector is funded by the State of Indiana. The new high-energy beam-line is funded by NASA.
See more of Poster Session I
See more of The 10th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (September 5-10, 2005)