Juris Meija and Zoltán Mester 2008 Metrologia 45 53 doi:10.1088/0026-1394/45/1/008
Juris Meija and Zoltán Mester
Show affiliationsGeneral theory for uncertainty propagations of atomic weight measurement results is presented and the impact of correlation of input variables (isotope ratios and correction factors) on the overall atomic weight uncertainty is discussed. Currently all uncertainty propagations use equations that are fitted for uncorrelated isotope ratios and uncorrelated mass bias correction factors. It is shown here that the correlation of isotope ratios is significant in TIMS and multi-collector ICPMS measurements and ignoring these correlations can lead to significant underestimation of the uncertainty of atomic weight measurement results. Atomic weight uncertainties are inconsistent with reported isotope ratio uncertainties in numerous recent reports as a result of improper uncertainty propagation.
06.20.Dk Measurement and error theory
32.10.Bi Atomic masses, mass spectra, abundances, and isotopes
Issue 1 (February 2008)
Received 10 August 2007
Published 8 January 2008
Juris Meija and Zoltán Mester 2008 Metrologia 45 53
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