Located at WITS University in Johannesburg, the Tandem and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Department hosts Africa's only AMS system, powered by a 6MV EN Tandem accelerator. Since its implementation in 2014, the AMS facility has become a crucial resource for heritage studies, environmental research, and geosciences. The department’s focus is on expanding its impact through international recognition, training, and scientific contributions.
6 MV
TAMS
The AMS facility at iThemba LABS, supported by a fully refurbished EN Tandem accelerator and a custom-built Low Energy Injection System, has been optimized for high-performance radiocarbon analyses, detecting 14C with remarkable sensitivity. This allows researchers to date samples as old as 50,000 years with smaller sample sizes than traditional methods. In addition to radiocarbon, the AMS system also specializes in analyzing other long-lived radioisotopes like 10Be, 26Al, and 36Cl, providing critical insights into geological processes such as erosion, burial, and exposure dating. The department’s commitment to maintaining cutting-edge research infrastructure ensures its position as a leader in AMS and accelerator-based science across the continent.
Beyond geological and archaeological applications, the AMS facility plays a vital role in environmental science, particularly in studying air quality and climate change. By analyzing trace isotopes in the atmosphere, the facility helps researchers understand the movement of carbon and other elements through natural systems. This data is crucial for evaluating the impacts of human activities on the environment, enabling more informed decisions in sustainability and conservation efforts. The continued advancement of AMS capabilities at iThemba LABS will undoubtedly further South Africa’s scientific contributions to global challenges.
National Center of Excellence
Develop and maintain accelerator-based facilities for academic and industrial research in materials sciences.
Scientist Training
Train scientists and technologists through material synthesis and ion beam characterization, producing high-quality PhDs.
Community Scientific Literacy
Conduct world-class research in specialized areas such as ion-solid interactions and nanotechnology.
