Development of a compact permanent magnet cyclotron for accelerator mass spectrometry

We describe the development of a new instrument for the detection of trace amounts of rare isotopes, a Cyclotron Mass Spectrometer (CMS). A compact low energy cyclotron optimized for high mass resolution has been designed and is under construction. The instrument has high sensitivity and is designed to measure carbon-14 at abundances of <10/sup -12/. A novel feature of the instrument is the use of permanent magnets to excite the iron poles of the cyclotron, giving a field uniformity on the order of 1 part in 10/sup 4/. The instrument uses axial injection, employing a spiral inflector. The instrument is nearing completion, with most major components completed.<
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