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Abstract

Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) detects rare isotopes within a huge background of abundant ones by exploiting specific optical transition frequencies of the desired atoms. ATTA utilizes the high number of photon-scattering processes in a magneto-optical trap for a distinct capture of the desired isotope alone. The Heidelberg ATTA collaboration successfully employed this technique on the environmental tracer 39Ar. This thesis demonstrates the first setup of a dual ATTA (D-ATTA) experiment for the two radio-isotopes 39Ar and 85Kr. The measurement of both tracers within a short time span enables a more thorough study of an environmental sample. In the course of 24 h, count rates of 1420(40) a/h for 85Kr and 1.8(3) a/h for 39Ar were obtained with a sample volume of 60 µL and 600 µL, respectively. These results demonstrate the feasibility of radio-isotope dating of both tracers within short times in the same apparatus and sample. Improvements to the vacuum system enabled a count rate of 140 a/h for 1 µL krypton gas which corresponds to a 10 L water sample. Additionally, this thesis presents 39Ar detection in a new dating facility. This second apparatus was built up to increase sample throughput and evolve the machine to a more modular and robust design.