Development of AMS procedure for measurement of $^{93}$Zr

The procedure for measuring $^{93}$Zr (t$_{1/2}$ = 1.5 Ma) by AMS is currently being developed at the Nuclear Science Lab at the University of Notre Dame and we report on first experiments performed in this direction. AMS detection of $^{93}$Zr can potentially be applied to address astrophysical and environmental issues: (1) the measurement of the $^{92}$Zr(n,$\gamma )^{93}$Zr reaction cross-section at nucleosynthesis $s$-process relevant temperatures, (2) the search for potential live $^{93}$Zr from a supernova in deep sea sediments, (3) hydrological and radioactive waste tracing. The measurement of $^{93}$Zr requires adequate separation from its stable isobar $^{93}$Nb. We are currently working on optimizing this separation by using the GasFilled Magnet technique with additional multiple dE measurements in a focal plane ionization chamber.