Its stated mission is conducting original research in cosmogenic isotopes.
The function of these accelerators is to measure scarce, (cosmogenic) isotopes such as aluminium-26, beryllium-10, iodine-129 and the aforementioned carbon-14.
In other words, the accelerators are used for measuring rare isotopes that are produced within earth materials, such as rocks or soil, in Earth's atmosphere, and in extraterrestrial objects such as meteorites.
These are cosmogenic isotopes, produced from interaction with cosmic rays.
Topical coverage of investigations includes archaeology, art history, forensic science, radioactive tracer studies, radiometric dating, the carbon cycle, cosmic ray physics, meteorites, geology, paleoclimate, faunal extinctions, hydrologic balance, frequency rate of forest fires, terrestrial magnetic field, solar wind, ocean sciences and instrument development.