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Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods pp 1–21Cite as

Luminescence Dating

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Definition

Luminescence – emission of light from a semiconductor or insulator in response to some form of stimulation such as heat or light. In the context of using luminescence for dating, the luminescence signal arises from the release of energy stored from prior exposure to ionizing radiation such as alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. Thus, luminescence provides a mechanism for measuring the amount of ionizing radiation a sample has been exposed to.

Thermoluminescence (TL):

Emission of luminescence in response to heating of the sample.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL):

Emission of luminescence in response to exposing the sample to light. In the laboratory this light is normally restricted to a narrow range of wavelengths.

Introduction

Radioactivity is ubiquitous in the natural environment. Luminescence dating exploits the presence of radioactive isotopes of elements such as uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K). Naturally occurring minerals such as quartz and feldspars...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Llandinham Bldg., Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DB, UK

    Geoffrey A. T. Duller

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  1. Geoffrey A. T. Duller
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Correspondence to Geoffrey A. T. Duller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    W. Jack Rink

  2. Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Jeroen Thompson

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Duller, G.A.T. (2014). Luminescence Dating. In: Rink, W., Thompson, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_125-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_125-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6326-5

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