Methods / AMS

Accelerator mass spectrometry

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is an analytical method for determining the isotope content of a sample with high accuracy and sensitivity. AMS analysis has many applications in fields including geology, archaeology, environmental research, and product safety – probably the most well-known of them being radiocarbon dating.

Accelerator mass spectrometry
...and more than 700 other happy clients

Some of our AMS analysis services

Biogenic or biobased carbon content according to ASTM D6866

ASTM D6866
Measurement of biogenic or biobased carbon in the material or product as a percent of the total carbon or total organic carbon in the product. ASTM D6866 outlines two ways of expressing the proportion of material that originates from renewable resources. Biogenic carbon content indicates the proportion of total carbon (TC) originating from renewable resources. Alternatively, inorganic carbon can be removed before testing, and the result is then expressed in relation to total organic carbon (TOC), giving the biobased carbon content. An additional cost applies to the removal of inorganic carbon. The price is for non-volatile samples. If your sample is volatile, please discuss the suitability of your sample type with our experts. Please also note that we cannot accept samples that contain artificial carbon-12, carbon-13, or carbon-14 isotopes because they will cause damage to the equipment. Note! The results obtained for gaseous emissions should always be expressed as "biogenic carbon content" because the initial step of converting carbon to gaseous CO2 cannot be done when the carbon is already in gaseous form. Biobased carbon content determination by ASTM D6866 does not reveal how much of the sample's total weight originates from renewable sources. This can be estimated, however, by combining data on biobased carbon content with information on the total carbon content of the product. Biobased content measurement by EN 16785-1 may also be considered as an alternative.
407–686 €
Read more

Biobased carbon content according to EN 16640

EN 16640
Measurement performed by the EN 16640 standard, using the radiocarbon method to determine the biobased carbon content of a product. The proportion of biobased carbon (also known as biogenic carbon) is expressed in relation to the total carbon content (TC). The displayed price applies to non-volatile samples, but it may be possible to analyze volatile samples upon request. Please note that we cannot accept samples that contain artificial carbon-12, carbon-13, or carbon-14 isotopes because they will cause damage to the equipment.
686 €
Read more

Biobased carbon content according to ISO 16620

ISO 16620
The biobased carbon content is either reported as a fraction of the total organic carbon (TOC) or total carbon (TC). The price is for non-volatile samples. If your sample is volatile, please discuss the suitability of your sample type with our experts. Please also note that we cannot accept samples that contain artificial carbon-12, carbon-13, or carbon-14 isotopes because they will cause damage to the equipment.
686 €
Read more

Biomass fraction of CO2 emissions for carbon emissions trading

ASTM D6866
Determination of the biomass fraction of CO2 emissions generated from mixed fuel incineration, as required by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). CO2 originating from non-fossil sources like biomass has an emission factor of zero under EU ETS and is therefore not counted towards carbon emissions. This means that the biomass fraction of mixed fuels, such as municipal waste or solid recovered fuel (SRF), must be determined to calculate reportable emissions accurately. In this analysis, the proportion of biogenic carbon dioxide in total emitted CO2 from the incineration process is measured using the radiocarbon (14C) method. The measurement is based on the ASTM D6866 standard. This standard is equally rigorous and based on the same methodology as EN ISO 13833, which is mentioned in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. Testing is relevant for industrial plants that use mixed fuels and participate in emissions trading, as well as for municipal waste incineration (MWI) plants, which have been required to monitor and report emissions according to EU ETS since the beginning of 2024.
430 €
Read more

Prices excluding VAT.

  • Fast turnaround times
  • Personal service from method experts
  • Competitive prices
  • Result accuracy guarantee

What is AMS analysis used for?

Accelerator mass spectrometry is an ultra-sensitive analytical technique used to measure the ratio of a rare, often radioactive isotope to the total number of that element's atoms in the sample. Different isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. Many rare isotopes, such as Be-10, C-14, Al-26, Cl-36, Ca-41, I-129, and several isotopes of uranium and plutonium can be analyzed with AMS. For the analysis of light-stable isotopes, IRMS is often a preferred method.

One of the most common applications of AMS is radiocarbon dating. The technique is widely used for determining the age of carbon-containing samples by measuring the amount of radioactive C-14 isotope in them. In addition to archaeology and historical research, AMS analysis is also commonly used to determine the bio-portion (the proportion of biobased content) of fuels, CO2 emissions gases, and other carbon-containing materials.

The isotopes analyzed with AMS have a wide range of dating applications and they are used in a variation of chronometers and tracers. Therefore, AMS is utilized in many disciplines, such as geological and planetary sciences, geomorphology, quaternary science, environmental and atmospheric research, archaeology, historical research, global climate change control, nuclear safeguards, and biomedicine.

How does accelerator mass spectrometry work? 

AMS analysis is based on the use of an ion accelerator as a powerful mass spectrometer. Ion sources, large magnets, and detectors are used together with the accelerator to separate different isotopes and count single atoms. After the ionization of the sample, the magnetic and electric fields of the accelerator system filter out additional isotopes from the ion beam by deflecting them from their original direction.

The high speed of the ion beam enables molecules to be destroyed and removed from the measurement background. Finally, the ion beam is isotopically analyzed: the magnetic and electrostatic analyzers measure the amount of the isotope of interest, and ion detectors identify selected isotopes and count them individually. As a result, even concentrations of one atom in around 1,000 atoms can be measured.

Sample requirements and preparation 

Solid, liquid, and gaseous samples can be analyzed with AMS. For example, archaeological samples (e.g. fossils, pottery), geological samples (e.g. rocks, sediments), fuels, flue gases, and natural samples like rainwater are suitable for the analysis. Because AMS is a highly sensitive method, only a small sample amount is needed. For solid materials, a few milligrams are usually enough. 

Before the AMS analysis, the element of interest (e.g. carbon, beryllium, aluminum, iodine, uranium, or plutonium) has to be isolated from the sample and purified. Chemical methods are used to separate very small amounts of the element and to prepare the appropriate target material for the measurement.

Need an AMS analysis?

Measurlabs offers high-quality AMS analyses with fast results and competitive prices for large or recurring projects. If you have any questions about your sample or its suitability for the method, our experts are always happy to help. You can contact us through the form below to request a quote and start the discussion.

Suitable sample matrices

  • Fuels (gaseous, liquid and solid)
  • Geological and environmental samples (for example rocks, meteorites, sediments, soil and water)
  • Archaeological samples (for example fossils, seeds and bones)
  • Historical samples (for example wood, fabrics and pottery)
  • Flue gases
  • Radioactive samples
  • Biomedical samples

Ideal uses of AMS

  • Radiocarbon dating
  • Bioportion determination (carbon content in fuels and flue gases)
  • Analyzing the concentrations of different isotopes in rocks and sediments in geology and geomorphology
  • Measuring the concentrations of long-lived radioisotopes in environmental and atmospheric research
  • Analysing the contents of meteorites in planetary sciences
  • Product development and quality control of chronometers and tracers
  • Nuclear safeguards
  • Biomedicine
  • Actinide and heavy ion isotopic analysis
  • Cosmogenic isotope dating

Ask for an offer

Fill in the form, and we'll reply in one business day.

Answering the following questions helps us prepare an offer for you faster:

  • How many samples do you have and what is the sample material?
  • Do you have a recurring need for these tests? If yes, how often and for how many samples at a time?

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.

Frequently asked questions

What is accelerator mass spectrometry?

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is an ultra-sensitive analytical technique used for measuring the concentration of a single isotope within a sample.

What is AMS used for?

AMS can be used to analyze many rare isotopes such as Be-10, C-14, Al-26, Cl-36, Ca-41, I-129, and several isotopes of uranium and plutonium. One of the most common applications of the method is radiocarbon dating by measuring the amount of radioactive C-14 isotope in historical objects.

AMS can also be used to determine the precise proportion of biobased content in different kinds of materials. This makes the method useful in biobased content measurement in accordance with EU policies on the substantiation of green claims.

What samples are suitable for AMS?

Solid, liquid, and gaseous samples can be analyzed with AMS. Typical samples include archaeological samples (e.g. fossils, pottery), geological samples (e.g. rocks, sediments), fuels, flue gases, and natural samples like rainwater.

What is Measurlabs?

Measurlabs offers a variety of laboratory analyses for product developers and quality managers. We perform some of the analyses in our own lab, but mostly we outsource them to carefully selected partner laboratories. This way we can send each sample to the lab that is best suited for the purpose, and offer high-quality analyses with more than a thousand different methods to our clients.

How does the service work?

When you contact us through our contact form or by email, one of our specialists will take ownership of your case and answer your query. You get an offer with all the necessary details about the analysis, and can send your samples to the indicated address. We will then take care of sending your samples to the correct laboratories and write a clear report on the results for you.

How do I send my samples?

Samples are usually delivered to our laboratory via courier. Contact us for further details before sending samples.