Gas Interface for Micadas

Small (< 100 µg C) and ultra-small (< 25 µg C) radiocarbon samples are analyzed in gas form. Our versatile gas interface system forms the heart of the system, introducing CO₂ from different sample types into the gas ion source of the MICADAS. An elemental analyzer (EA) or a carbonate handling system (CHS) is used to convert organic samples respectively carbonates to CO₂. Additionally, an ampoule cracker serves as a supply for samples that were externally converted to CO₂.
A world-wide unique laser ablation (LA) system for ¹⁴C analysis allows rapid screening of carbonate archives, such as stalagmites and corals. Here, the LA system converts carbonates at a relatively high spatial resolution to CO that is directly introduced into the gas ion source for online radiocarbon analysis.