Acquisition/upgrade of alpha spectrometry facility

位于石溪的纽约州立大学(SUNY)的研究人员将更换过时的阿尔法光谱系统。自20世纪80年代S以来，他们的实验室使用了四个Quad Alpha系统，这些系统多年来一直运行良好。然而，这些系统与现在已经过时的分析仪连接在一起，这些分析仪已经失效，无法修复。此外，大多数Quad Alpha单元本身都发生了故障，目前16个探测器中只有4个在运行。尽管阿尔法光谱分析已经被许多阿尔法放射性核素的其他分析方法所取代，但某些短寿命的阿尔法发射体的测量是通过这种方法来完成的。一个新的、升级的阿尔法光谱系统将提供必要的能力，以继续实验室的高质量阿尔法光谱测量。该设备将用于美国国家科学基金会资助的几个与碳循环研究相关的项目。这些研究将对我们理解海洋的“生物泵”很重要，它影响着有机碳向深海的运输，并与海洋吸收和循环人类活动产生的二氧化碳的能力相结合。就更广泛的影响而言，这些设备将加强纽约州立大学石溪分校的研究基础设施，并将在可预见的未来帮助支持研究活动。纽约州立大学石溪分校的研究人员将使用这些系统作为他们教育和培训活动的一部分。

Researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook will replace outdated alpha spectrometry systems. Since the 1980's, their laboratory used four Quad Alpha systems, and these systems have worked well for many years. However these systems are interfaced with now-obsolete analyzers that have failed and are not repairable. In addition, most of the Quad Alpha units themselves have failed and currently only four out of 16 detectors are operating. Even though alpha spectrometry has been supplanted by other analytical approaches for many alpha-emitting radionuclides, measurement of certain short-lived alpha emitters is optimally accomplished via this method. A new, upgraded alpha spectrometry system will provide the necessary capability to continue the laboratory's high quality alpha spectrometric measurements. The equipment will be used in several NSF-supported projects related to carbon cycle research. These studies will be important to our understanding of the ocean's "biological pump", which influences the transport of organic carbon to the deep ocean and is coupled with the ocean's ability to take up and cycle carbon dioxide derived from human activities. In terms of broader impacts, the equipment will enhance the research infrastructure at SUNY Stony Brook, and will aid in supporting research activities for the foreseeable future. Researchers at SUNY Stony Brook will use the systems as part of their education and training activities.