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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

Preparing an Isotopically Pure ²²⁹Th Ion Beam for Studies of ^229mTh

Published on: May 3, 2019

Radiocarbon dating using electrostatic accelerators: negative ions provide the key.

C L Bennett, R P Beukens, M R Clover

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|November 4, 1977

Summary

Mass spectrometry can now measure carbon-14 (¹⁴C) dating ratios more accurately. Using negative ions and a tandem accelerator eliminates nitrogen-14 (¹⁴N) interference, enabling precise detection of ¹⁴C.

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Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F⁻

Published on: July 27, 2018

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

Preparing an Isotopically Pure ²²⁹Th Ion Beam for Studies of ^229mTh

Published on: May 3, 2019

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F⁻

Published on: July 27, 2018

Area of Science:

Geochronology
Analytical Chemistry
Physics

Background:

Mass spectrometry is a proposed method for determining carbon-14 (¹⁴C) to carbon-12 (¹²C) ratios for radiocarbon dating.
A significant challenge in this method is differentiating between nitrogen-14 (¹⁴N) and ¹⁴C.

Purpose of the Study:

To overcome the challenge of distinguishing between ¹⁴N and ¹⁴C in mass spectrometric measurements for radiocarbon dating.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of using negative ions and a tandem electrostatic accelerator for precise ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio measurements.

Main Methods:

Utilizing negative ions in a mass spectrometry setup.
Employing a tandem electrostatic accelerator to enhance ion manipulation and detection.
Measuring ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios with high precision.

Main Results:

The use of negative ions effectively eliminates the ¹⁴N background.
The tandem electrostatic accelerator facilitates the detection of minimal ¹⁴C concentrations.
Fewer than three ¹⁴C atoms per 10¹⁶ atoms of ¹²C were easily measured, indicating high sensitivity and accuracy.

Conclusions:

The developed mass spectrometric method, utilizing negative ions and a tandem electrostatic accelerator, successfully distinguishes ¹⁴C from ¹⁴N.
This technique significantly improves the accuracy and sensitivity of radiocarbon dating by enabling precise measurement of ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios.