Cutting-edge analytics at DREAMS: Cool application stuff using tandem accelerators

The DREsden Accelerator Mass Spectrometry facility (DREAMS) is in routine operation since autumn 2011 [1, Figure 1].

Figure 1. DREAMS incl. planned Time-of-Flight (ToF) and SIMS connection for TEAMS/Super-SIMS.

Here, long-lived so-called cosmogenic radionuclides such as ¹⁰Be, ²⁶Al, ³⁶Cl, ⁴¹Ca and ¹²⁹I can be quantified at the 10^-14 (radionuclide/stable nuclide) level. Applications are performed within interdisciplinary cooperations with users from universities and research centres. Hence, research is focussed on topics from e.g. astrophysics [2], climate, cosmochemistry [3,4], geomorphology [5-7], hydrogeology and nuclear decommissioning [8].

To keep DREAMS a state-of-the-art facility in-house research such as the development of a low cross-contamination and memory-effect ion source [9], a high-current ion source and expansion to stable nuclides with (Super-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)) or without spatial resolution (Trace Element AMS = TEAMS) is performed. This kind of technology development is partially based on our own research interests, but also driven by the steadily increasing demands of our users.

Quality assurance incl. the use of primary or traceable standards and dedicated AMS chemistry labs accessible for users make DREAMS especially attractive for experienced cosmogenic nuclide researchers but even more for newcomers. Thus, training on the job e.g. in the chemistry labs is an essential tool of our “mission” to widen the fields of AMS applications and user communities.

Ackn.: Operators, S. Akhmadaliev, S. Enamorado Baez & A. Renno for help; DFG/DAAD for funding.

[1] S. Akhmadaliev et al., Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. B 2013, 294, 5. [2] J. Feige et al., EPJ Web of Conferences 2013, 63, 03003. [3] U. Ott et al., Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 2014, 49, 1365. [4] J. Llorca, et al., Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 2013, 48, 493. [5] M.C. Fuchs et al., Earth Surf. Dynam. Discuss. 2015, 3, 83. [6] K. Hahne et al., System Erde. GFZ-Journal 2013, 3 (2), 44. [7] R. Zech et al., Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2013, 369, 253. [8] D. Hampe et al., J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 2013, 296, 617. [9] S. Pavetich et al., Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. B 2014, 329, 22.