Report on the 20th International Radiocarbon Conference Graphitization Workshop

Abstract

A sample preparation workshop was convened at the 20th International Radiocarbon conference, with about 30–40 attendees. The term “sample preparation” was not further specified to allow participants to address the laboratory issues most important to them. Given the short time available, the focus quickly narrowed to details of graphite preparation for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), with particular interest in procedures for small samples, and hence we have changed the title to reflect the focus. Here, we summarize the workshop discussion, adding additional background information and references to publications. Several aspects of graphite preparation are included: catalyst types and ratio of catalyst to carbon; optimal reaction temperatures for various sample sizes; methods for water removal; types of pressure transducers; preconditioning of catalyst; and problems with blank values in very small samples. The pros and cons of sample dilution were also discussed.