Development of Graphitization of μg-Sized Samples at Lund University

Abstract

To be able to successfully measure radiocarbon with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in atmospheric aerosol samples, graphitization of small sample sizes (<50 μg carbon) must provide reproducible results. At Lund University, a graphitization line optimized for small samples has been constructed. Attention has been given to minimize the reduction reactor volume and each reactor is equipped with a very small pressure transducer that enables constant monitoring of the reaction. Samples as small as 25 μg of carbon have been successfully analyzed, and the mass detection limit of the system has probably not been reached.