Experiences in the commissioning of the first radiocarbon dating laboratory based on the carbosorb method in Tehran

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 535; pp. 112 - 116
• Main Authors: Biganeh, A., Kakuee, O., Sharbatdaran, M., Moazemi, H., Vosoughi, Y., Elahi, M., Ghods, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Carbosorb method; LSC; PMC; Radiocarbon dating; Radiocarbon dating; Carbosorb method; LSC; PMC
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2022.11.023

In this paper, the experiences in the commissioning of the first radiocarbon dating laboratory based on the carbosorb method in Tehran are presented and described. Its purpose is to: (a) validate the predefined procedures, (b) introduce the relevant commissioning equipment, and (c) report on significant experiences in the sample preparation. The procedure of sample preparation for the carbosorb method including acid-base degreasing, carbonization, oxidizing, and refinement of CO2 gas, followed by chemical conversion to a compound suitable for C-14 dating was achieved in this work. Using a Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC), the measurements of the prepared standard, blank, and of a modern sample were carried out and the results were discussed. The similar radiocarbon activities of blank and marble samples confirmed the minimum absorption of environmental CO2 gas during sample preparation and the measured specific activity of the wood sample proved the absorption of radiocarbon in the cocktail.