Progress at the Isotrace Radiocarbon Facility

Abstract

Since August 1984 over 100 samples have been analyzed. 12C, 13C, and 14C isotopes were measured after acceleration and all dates were corrected for natural and preparation-induced fractionation. A precision of better than 1.0% was obtained for samples 10,000 yr BP or less and these results were shown to be reproducible at precision levels as low as 0.3%. An accuracy of better than 1.0% was demonstrated for the same age range by analyzing samples which were previously dated with the conventional technique. The machine background, measured on blank sample holders in a clean ion source, yielded a count rate equivalent of 0.015 ± 0.007% modern.