Accelerator mass spectrometry group

Radioimpurities in particle detectors for dark matter studies

This experiment will characterise dark matter detector material. Lowest levels of natural radioactivity in high purity samples will be analysed via ultra-senstive single atom counting using acclerator mass spectrometry.

Dr Michaela Froehlich , Dr Zuzana Slavkovska, A/Prof Stephen Tims, Professor Gregory Lane

Radioactivity in our environment

Radionuclides such as 236U and 239Pu were introduced into the environment by the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and an be readily measured by accelerator mass spectrometry.

Dr Michaela Froehlich

Total recall – memory effects in negative ion sources

This project investigates contamination effects in negative ion sources used for accelerator mass spectrometry particularly relevant for the measurement of ultra-trace amounts of the long-lived radionuclides Chlorine-36 and Iodine-129 in environmental samples.

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Emeritus Professor Keith Fifield

Paving the way to study the chronology of the early solar system

Radionuclides can serve as tracers and chronometers for environmental processes. The time scale for these clocks is set by the half-life of the respective radioisotope. Using accelerator mass spectrometry and decay counting this project aims investigate the chronology of the Early Solar System.

Dr Stefan Pavetich, Dr Michaela Froehlich , A/Prof Stephen Tims, Mr Dominik Koll

Single atom counting for stellar nuclear synthesis studies

In this project accelerator mass spectrometry at the 14-million volt accelerator at ANU is used to determine nuclear reaction probabilities relevant for astrophysics.