We operate
two dedicated mass spectrometric systems for helium isotope analysis
and tritium measurement by the He-3 ingrowth method, respectively
(both systems contain VG 5400 mass spectrometers as central units).
The systems are fully automated. Precision for determination of the
He-3/He-4 ratio typically is ±0.2 percent. However, it can
approach ±1 percent if the samples contain high He-4 concentrations
or extreme He-3/He-4 ratios. Tritium can be measured with a precision
of about ±1 to 2 percent (1 sigma) and a detection limit of
0.01 TU or better. One of the mass spectrometers has a special detector
block for ultra-low He-3 background. The separation of He isotope
and tritium measurements on dedicated machines allows us to improve
the turnaround time for mass spectrometric tritium measurements. The
throughput of the systems is high (several thousand samples per year).