Comparison of Sample Preparation Techniques Used in Luminescence Dating Methods

Age determination by the luminescence dating method is based on measuring the luminescence of samples that contain quartz or similar minerals. Accurate determination of the luminescence signal is essential and closely related to the sample preparation. Many kinds of techniques are used for sample preparation in Optically Stimulated Luminescence and Thermoluminescence dating. In this study, different sample preparation techniques, including crushing by hand or mortar, sieving by hand or sieve shaker and chemical application were compared. Different groups of samples were prepared and then the OSL and TL luminescence signals were examined. According to results, the best sample preparation techniques were determined.

Keywords:

Luminescence dating, sample preparation technique crushing, sieving,

PDF

___

[1] M.J. Aitken, Thermoluminescence Dating, Academic Press, London 1985.
[2] M.J. Aitken, An Introduction to Optical Dating, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1998.
[3] G. A. T. Duller, Luminescence Dating: Guidelines on Using Luminescence Dating in Archaeology, English Heritage, Swindon 2008.
[4] G. Tanır, N. Meric, H. Aytekin and S. Okuducu, A fitting procedure for palaedose from old sandstone using IRSL, Czechoslovak Journal of Physics 54 (2004), 941–946.
[5] N. Meric, M. Kosal, M. A. Atlıhan and U. R. Yuce, OSL properties of anthropological bone and tooth, Radiation Physics and Chemistry 77 (2008), 685–689.
[6] N. Meric, M. A. Atlıhan, M. Kosal, U. R. Yuce and A. Cınaroglu, Infrared stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence dating of archaeological samples from Turkey, Geochronometria 34 (2009), 25–31.
[7] M. A. Atlıhan and N. Meric, Luminescence dating of a geological sample from Denizli, Turkey, Applied Radiation and Isotopes 66 (2008), 69–74.
[8] U. R. Yuce, N. Meric, O. Atakol and F. Yasar, Dose response of hydrazine - Deproteinated tooth enamel under blue light stimulation, Radiation Measurements 45 (2010), 797–800.
[9] N. A. Spooner, M. J. Aitken, B. W. Smith, M. Franks and C. McElroy, Archaeological dating by infrared-stimulated luminescence using a diode array, Radiation Protection Dosimetry 34 (1990), 83–86.
[10] A. G. Wintle, Luminescence dating: laboratory procedures and protocols, Radiation Measurements 27 (1997), 769–817. [11] S. Toyoda, W. J. Rink, H. P. Schwarcz and J. Rees-Jones, Crushing effects on TL and OSL on quartz: relevance to fault dating, Radiation Measurements 32 (2000), 667–672.
[12] S. Hiraga, A. Morimoto and T. Shimamoto, Stress effect on thermoluminescence intensities of quartz grains -For the establishment of a fault dating method-, Bulletin of Nara University of Education 51 (2002), 17–24.
[13] A. Takeuchi, H. Nagahama and T. Hashimoto, Surface electrification of rocks and charge trapping centers, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C 29 (2004), 359–366.
[14] A. Takeuchi, H. Nagahama and T. Hashimoto, Surface resetting of thermoluminescence in milled quartz grains, Radiation Measurements 41 (2006), 826–830.
[15] A. Takeuchi and T. Hashimoto, Milling-induced reset of thermoluminescence and deformation of hydroxyl species in the near-surface layers of quartz grains, Geochronometria 32 (2008), 61-68.