High-sensitivity radiocarbon detection has been, until now, a prerogative of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Here we present a compact and simple spectroscopic apparatus, based on saturated-absorption cavity ring-down, approaching the ultimate AMS sensitivity. We measure radiocarbon dioxide concentration down to a few parts per quadrillion by use of a heterodyne-spectroscopy system with two quantum cascade lasers at 4.5 mu m, a reference cell, and a high-finesse cavity with the sample gas cooled down to 170 K. Our results pave the way to a paradigm change in radiocarbon measurement, with a number of significant applications in areas such as environment, nuclear security, pharmacology, and cultural heritage. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America
Spectroscopic detection of radiocarbon dioxide at parts-per-quadrillion sensitivity
Galli, Iacopo;Bartalini, Saverio;Barucci, Marco;Cancio, Pablo;De Pas, Marco;Giusfredi, Giovanni;Mazzotti, Davide;De Natale, Paolo
2016
Abstract
High-sensitivity radiocarbon detection has been, until now, a prerogative of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Here we present a compact and simple spectroscopic apparatus, based on saturated-absorption cavity ring-down, approaching the ultimate AMS sensitivity. We measure radiocarbon dioxide concentration down to a few parts per quadrillion by use of a heterodyne-spectroscopy system with two quantum cascade lasers at 4.5 mu m, a reference cell, and a high-finesse cavity with the sample gas cooled down to 170 K. Our results pave the way to a paradigm change in radiocarbon measurement, with a number of significant applications in areas such as environment, nuclear security, pharmacology, and cultural heritage. (C) 2016 Optical Society of AmericaFile | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Descrizione: Spectroscopic detection of radiocarbon dioxide at parts-per-quadrillion sensitivity
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