Assessment of 0.3-ml Minivials for Radiocarbon Dating by Liquid Scintillation Counting of Benzene

Abstract

I have made an evaluation of 0.3-ml minivials for 14C dating of small samples by liquid scintillation counting of benzene. A calibrated wood standard was diluted by varying amounts of ancient CO2, with synthesized benzene counted in both conventional 3.0-ml vials and 0.3-ml minivials in a 1220 Quantulus. The accuracy and precision of results are compared for samples ranging in weight from 50 to 240 mg of carbon. I examined two significant potential problems associated with handling small samples, namely, memory effects within the vacuum system, and signal within the dilution gas. Although accurate radiocarbon dates can be obtained using either standard vials or minivials, minivials are more suitable for dating small samples because they are less influenced by these sources of error.