Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T10:33:46.841Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Low-Level Liquid Scintillation Counter Array with Computerized Data Acquisition and Age Calculation Capabilities for 14C Dating

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

J. E. Noakes
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-4702 USA
J. D. Spaulding
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-4702 USA
R. J. Valenta
Affiliation:
Packard Instrument Company, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 USA
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

We describe a two-phase study directed toward background reduction of a manual liquid scintillation counter and the interfacing of electronics for counting to a computer data acquisition system. Counter background reduction is achieved with afterpulse electronics, a high-performance cocktail, an auxiliary detector/guard and a special sample vial holder. The data acquisition system is comprised of an electronic signal processor and sorter for operating up to eight counters simultaneously and interfacing to a computer with software for data storage, acquisitions and age dating calculations. We discuss low-background counter modifications, electronic signal processing and computer software for 14C age dating.

Type
V. Advances in Measurement Techniques
Copyright
Copyright © the Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona 

References

Cook, G. T. and Anderson, R. 1993 Assessment of new features on a commercial liquid scintillation spectrometer for radiocarbon dating. In Noakes, J. E., Schönhofer, F. and Polach, H. A., eds., Advances in Liquid Scintillation Spectrometry 1992. Tucson, Arizona. Radiocarbon: 1721.Google Scholar
Noakes, J. E. and Valenta, R. J. 1989 Low background liquid scintillation counting using an active sample holder and pulse discrimination electronics. In Long, A. and Kra, R. S., eds., Proceedings of the 13th International 14C Conference. Radiocarbon 31(3): 332341.Google Scholar
Roessler, N., Valenta, R. J. and van Cauter, S. 1991 Time-resolved liquid scintillation counting. In Ross, H., Noakes, J. E. and Spaulding, J. D., eds., Liquid Scintillation Counting and Organic Scintillators. Chelsea, Michigan, Lewis Publishers, Inc.: 501511.Google Scholar
Packard Instrument Company, Inc. 1986 Tri-Carb® Liquid Scintillation Analyzer Model 1000 Operation Manual. Downer's Grove, Illinois.Google Scholar
Valenta, R. J. 1987 U.S. Patent 4,651,006: Reduced background scintillation counting.Google Scholar
Valenta, R. J. and Noakes, J. E. 1988 U.S. Patent 4,833,326: Improved liquid scintillation system with active guard shield.Google Scholar