Ultra-Low Background Measurements using AMS

Current-generation experiments studying rare processes such as neu- trino and dark matter interactions require ultra-low levels of radioactive background. Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) shows promise in achieving the ultra-low sensitivity required for detector material selec- tion. One project interested in such techniques is SNO+, which proposes to modify the existing SNO detector to study low-energy solar neutrinos as well as other neutrino properties via double-beta decay using a liquid scintillator called linear alkylbenzene (LAB). Due to the lower energy threshold of the detector, the present materials need to be reevaluated for concentrations of $^{40}$K. Ultra-pure copper cathodes as well as sam- ples of materials to be used in the detector have been prepared at Idaho State University and Idaho National Laboratory. These materials are being tested for levels of $^{40}$K at the Notre Dame AMS facility. Results from the first set of measurements will be discussed.