Radiocarbon data collection, filtering and analysis at the NRL TEAMS facility

Abstract This report describes a novel approach to collection and analysis of radiocarbon data due to the unique design of the Naval Research Laboratory Trace Element Accelerator Mass Spectrometry system. In this approach, targets are loaded on the cathode wheel such that samples are clustered in groups of five between standards. Each target is measured until the external error asymptotically reaches a constant value and the internal error dominates, or until a predefined time limit is reached. These measurements are repeated until the desired level of counting statistics is attained. Cycle control software saves the measured beam currents and count rate, as well as all system parameters to disc at fixed intervals throughout each measurement. Data visualization software has aided in system diagnosis by exposing relationships between the measured isotope ratios and system parameters. A filtering algorithm is employed to the data set of each target measurement in an attempt to achieve a Gaussian distribution. Final results are generated by a radiocarbon calculator that allows a user to select which target measurements to treat as samples, standards and blanks, and calculates the desired values (i.e. conventional radiocarbon age, percent modern carbon, etc.) with full error propagation. Currently, a Microsoft Access® relational database is being developed which will be integrated into the existing LabVIEW® control, filtering and calculation programs in order to streamline the process from sample submission to report generation, as well as improve quality control.