Component-resolved bleaching spectra of quartz optically stimulated luminescence: preliminary results and implications for dating

Singarayer, J. S. and Bailey, R. M. (2004) Component-resolved bleaching spectra of quartz optically stimulated luminescence: preliminary results and implications for dating. Radiation Measurements, 38 (1). pp. 111-118. ISSN 1350-4487 doi: 10.1016/S1350-4487(03)00250-6

Abstract/Summary

Bleaching spectra of the ‘fast’ and ‘medium’ optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) components of quartz are reported. A dependence of photoionization cross-section, σ, on wavelength was observed for the fast and medium components and a significant difference in their responses to stimulation wavelength was found. The ratio of the fast and medium photoionization cross-sections, σfast/σmedium, varied from 30.6 when stimulated with View the MathML source light to 1.4 at View the MathML source. At View the MathML source the fast and medium photoionization cross-sections were found to be sufficiently different that infrared bleaching at raised temperatures allowed the selective removal of the fast component with negligible depletion of the medium. A method for optically separating the OSL components of quartz is suggested, based on the wavelength dependence of photoionization cross-sections.