Optimization of a [formula omitted] detector for 41Ca AMS

Abstract

A series of nuclides (14C, 26Al, and 36Cl) was measured using the 12UD Pelletron tandem accelerator before replacement by the horizontal 6MV tandem accelerator at the University of Tsukuba Tandem Accelerator Complex (UTTAC). This paper considers the modification of the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement parameters to suit the current 6MV tandem accelerator setup (e.g., terminal voltage, detected ion charge state, gas pressure, and entrance window material in detector). The Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) was also used to simulate AMS measurement to determine the best conditions to suppress isobaric interference. The spectra of 41Ca and 41K were then successfully separated and their nuclear spectra were identified; the system achieved a background level of 41Ca/40Ca ∼6×10-14.