Standard Radiometric Dating 

The Waikato laboratory determines C14 activity through the measurement of beta particles. Samples are converted to benzene through hydrolysis of lithium carbide and catalytic trimerization of acetylene.

Residual radiocarbon activity is measured using ten Perkin Elmer 1220 "Quantulus" Liquid Scintillation (LS) spectrometers. The "Quantulus" is the most sophisticated low-level spectrometer available. It has extensive shielding designed to reduce the effects of background radiation, enabling both older and smaller samples to be dated more accurately. The instrument also contains twin multi-channel analysers (MCAs) which provide information on the sample and background spectra, necessary for quality control.

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