Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is a highly sophisticated technique used to measure the abundance of rare isotopes in various samples, such as archaeological artifacts or geological materials. It works by accelerating ions (charged particles) to high energies and then separating them based on their mass. This allows researchers to precisely determine the amount of a specific isotope, like carbon-14, which is crucial for dating ancient objects or studying environmental processes. AMS offers greater sensitivity and speed compared to traditional methods, making it invaluable in fields like archaeology, geology, and environmental science.