1
|
Schumann D, Kivel N, Dressler R. Production and characterization of 60Fe standards for accelerator mass spectrometry. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219039. [PMID: 31251777 PMCID: PMC6599215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is one of the most sensitive analysis techniques to measure long-lived radionuclides, reaching detection limits for isotopic ratios down to 10-15-10-16 in special cases. Its application portfolio covers nearly every field of environmental research, considering processes in the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and the cosmosphere. Normally, AMS measures the content of isotopes in comparison to a validated standard. However, in some cases like for example 60Fe, well characterized standard materials are difficult to produce due to the extreme rareness of the isotope. We report here on the manufacturing of a set of 60Fe standards, obtained by processing irradiated copper from a beam dump of the high-power proton accelerator (HIPA) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). The isotopic ratios of the standards have been adjusted via a dilution series of a master solution, isotopic content of which has been characterized by Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). In total, we produced three samples with isotopic ratios of 1.037(6)·10-8, 1.125(7)·10-10 and 1.234 (7)·10-12, respectively. The latter had already been applied in three pioneering AMS studies investigating the remaining signal of injected matter of nearby super novae explosions in sediment archives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Schumann
- Paul Scherrer Institute Villigen, Department for Nuclear Energy and Safety, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Niko Kivel
- Paul Scherrer Institute Villigen, Division Large Research Facilities, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Rugard Dressler
- Paul Scherrer Institute Villigen, Department for Nuclear Energy and Safety, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wallner A, Bichler M, Buczak K, Dressler R, Fifield LK, Schumann D, Sterba JH, Tims SG, Wallner G, Kutschera W. Settling the half-life of 60Fe: fundamental for a versatile astrophysical chronometer. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 114:041101. [PMID: 25679883 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.114.041101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In order to resolve a recent discrepancy in the half-life of 60Fe, we performed an independent measurement with a new method that determines the 60Fe content of a material relative to 55Fe (t1/2=2.744 yr) with accelerator mass spectrometry. Our result of (2.50±0.12)×10(6) yr clearly favors the recently reported value (2.62±0.04)×10(6) yr, and rules out the older result of (1.49±0.27)×10(6) yr. The present weighted mean half-life value of (2.60±0.05)×10(6) yr substantially improves the reliability as an important chronometer for astrophysical applications in the million-year time range. This includes its use as a sensitive probe for studying recent chemical evolution of our Galaxy, the formation of the early Solar System, nucleosynthesis processes in massive stars, and as an indicator of a recent nearby supernova.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Wallner
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia and VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - M Bichler
- Atominstitut, Vienna University of Technology, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - K Buczak
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria and Atominstitut, Vienna University of Technology, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - R Dressler
- Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - L K Fifield
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - D Schumann
- Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - J H Sterba
- Atominstitut, Vienna University of Technology, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - S G Tims
- Department of Nuclear Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - G Wallner
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - W Kutschera
- VERA Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|