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Luminescence Dating, History

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Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Definition

Luminescence dating is based on the perception in solid state physics that energy from the absorption of ionizing radiation can be stored in the crystal lattice of insulators as radiation damage. Thermal or optical stimulation of dosed mineral grains results in release of radiation-induced luminescence. The amount of radiation damage and, thus, the acquired luminescence signal is at least within certain limits, proportional to the time during which the insulating minerals were exposed to ionizing radiation. Assuming a constant rate of natural ionizing radiation the age is calculated as the ratio of the accumulated dose over the dose-rate. The present contribution deals with the history of luminescence dating from the first observations of the luminescence phenomenon via the first proposal to use it for dating purposes, and the first dating application to the present wide field of applications in archaeology, Quaternary geology, geomorphology and geoarchaeology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geographisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany

    Ludwig Zöller

  2. Geographisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 348, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Günther A. Wagner

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  1. Ludwig Zöller
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  2. Günther A. Wagner
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Correspondence to Ludwig Zöller .

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  1. McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    W. Jack Rink  & Jeroen W. Thompson  & 

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Zöller, L., Wagner, G.A. (2015). Luminescence Dating, History. In: Jack Rink, W., Thompson, J.W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6304-3_66

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