Optically stimulated luminescence

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) estimates when mineral grains were last exposed to sunlight by measuring light emitted as stored radiation energy is released.

Quartz: Quartz is a crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen. Quartz grains trap radiation-produced electrons that light can release during OSL measurement.
Luminescence dating: Luminescence dating estimates when minerals last received enough light or heat to reset their stored radiation signal. OSL is one method within this broader family of dating techniques.
Thermoluminescence dating: Thermoluminescence dating estimates elapsed time by measuring light released from a mineral sample as it is heated. It releases trapped charge with heat, whereas OSL uses light stimulation.
Anomalous fading: Anomalous fading is the time-dependent loss of stored luminescence signal in some minerals, especially feldspar. Fading can make feldspar OSL ages too young unless it is measured and corrected.
Feldspar: Feldspar is a family of abundant rock-forming minerals containing aluminum and silicate. Feldspar grains can record burial through luminescence, though their signal may fade over time.
Single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol: The single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol estimates equivalent dose by repeatedly irradiating and measuring one sample portion. This widely used protocol calibrates the natural OSL signal against laboratory doses.
Radiocarbon dating: Radiocarbon dating estimates the age of once-living material from its remaining carbon-14. Unlike OSL, it dates organic carbon rather than the last light exposure of mineral grains.
Partial bleaching: Partial bleaching occurs when sunlight exposure resets a mineral's luminescence signal incompletely. Incomplete resetting leaves inherited signal that can make burial ages appear too old.
Radiation-induced charge trapping: Radiation-induced charge trapping occurs when ionizing radiation moves electrons into metastable defects in a material. This stored charge is the signal that optical stimulation releases.
Archaeological dating: Archaeological dating establishes the ages of materials and events associated with human activity. OSL can date sediment that buried artifacts when other datable materials are absent.

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