Methodology and Applications of the Determination of Cosmogenic Radionuclides ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The measurement of cosmogenic radionuclides 10Be and 26Al by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has become an invaluable tool for dating events and processes in Quaternary geochronology, and in archaeology and paleoanthropology. Here we present an overview of the current state of research by providing the theoretical and methodological background and describe processes of sample preparation and measurement by AMS. We also summarize the main geochronology calculation models for exposure and burial dating for the above applications and analysis of extra-terrestrial materials.