The AUSTRALIS (AMS for Ultra Sensitive TRAce eLement and Isotopic Studies) system being developed at the HIAF laboratory is a microbeam AMS system designed for in-situ micro-analysis of geological smaples for ultratrace and isotopic data. This enables analysis of microscopic geloloical samples or micro-features of minearals. AMS has only minor mass interference problems and together with the high sensitivity of AMS, AUSTRALIS opens the way for many interesting applications. AUSTRALIS is basedo n a standard AMS design and enhanced by some unique design features. The primary ion beam gun (modified HICONEX source) produces a microbeam of Cs~+ as small as 30 microns in diameter. The sample chamber features an efficient sample viewing system with viewing angle normal to the sample, that enables live observation of the sputtering process and visual tuning of the microbeam. In order to acheve t he high precision required for isotopic ratios in geochronogical applications of AMS, a fast isotope switching system has been implemented.
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