Research

Instrumentation and capabilities

The suite of instruments housed in the CAMS complex include powerful particle accelerators and ion beam technology that enable researchers to explore a broad range of national security and emerging science challenges. Using these instruments, researchers can measure multiple types of isotopes, obtained from a variety of sample types, all in one place. In addition, the CAMS complex includes fully equipped sample preparation facilities.

CAMS multi-isotope accelerator

The largest instrument in the CAMS complex is a 10-megavolt accelerator used to measure a wide variety of isotopes, including carbon-14, beryllium-7, beryllium-10, aluminum-26, chlorine-36, iodine-129, and actinides. It enables analysis of small sample sizes (less than 1 microgram) with a high level of precision and sensitivity and supports approximately 10,000 isotopic measurements in a typical year.

Two researchers work on the ion beam analysis system at CAMS. — Ion beam analysis system

CAMS also features a high-energy ion implantation beamline for materials science research. The beamline propels ions at a rapid velocity, so the ions penetrate deep into the target material. Since the beamline is connected to the CAMS 10-megavolt accelerator, researchers can then analyze microstructural changes to the material’s physical properties, helping them better understand its radiation tolerance.

The compact AMS system. — Compact AMS system

At CAMS, researchers can access a compact AMS system that supports radiocarbon research. The system offers a high throughput and the ability to run experiments without an operator—benefits that can reduce the time needed to analyze samples, as well as costs associated with conducting the experiments. In addition to handling solid samples, the compact AMS system at CAMS can accept a gas ion source, which allows researchers to couple the compact AMS system with other instruments that separate compounds.

The bioAMS instrument. — Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (bioAMS) instrument

The CAMS complex includes powerful bioAMS tools that researchers use to study new drug candidates, as well as how biological systems respond after exposure to toxins. The bioAMS instrument can measure isotopes in individual cells and track how compounds are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. By coupling with this capability with other analytical methods available at the CAMS research complex, scientists can also identify the analyte.

Instrumentation development

CAMS scientists not only use world‑class accelerators, they also design new instruments, diagnostics, and techniques to expand what is measurable. For example, CAMS scientists have developed:

A new technique used to study nuclear reactions
A new experimental capability that enables scientists to measure beryllium-7 isotopes
A new sample preparation method that provides more detailed data when analyzing soil samples using the CAMS accelerator

Research areas

Researchers use CAMS tools to:

Study nuclear reactions, informing astrophysics, targetry, nuclear safeguards, and fundamental nuclear science.
Provide critical radioactive material data to help identify threats and prevent catastrophic incidents.
Understand how different materials will behave in real-world radioactive environments like nuclear power plants and in space.
Speed development of safe, effective therapeutics and new countermeasures to combat emerging pathogens, environmental toxins, and chemical and biological weapons.
Better understand Earth system processes and foster ecosystem resilience.

Explore our research areas to learn more.