Thermo luminescence dating soldotna alaska dating
If the specimen’s sensitivity to ionizing radiation is known, as is the annual influx of radiation experienced by the specimen, the released thermoluminescence can be translated into a specific amount of time since the formation of the crystal structure.Because this accumulation of trapped electrons begins with the formation of the crystal structure, thermoluminescence can date crystalline materials to their date of formation; for ceramics, this is the moment they are fired.When a specimen is reheated, the trapped energy is released in the form of light (thermoluminescence) as the electrons escape.The amount of light produced is a specific and measurable phenomenon.The potential for using the thermoluminescence behaviour of sediments for dating them was first recognized by Soviet scientists G. In this review we describe the principles of TL dating, the various methods used, and contrast TL dating of sediments with the now well-accepted TL dating of pottery.
We conclude that while TL dating has the potential to solve many sedimentary problems, more fundamental research needs to be carried out before such dates should be accepted.The major source of error in establishing dates from thermoluminescence is a consequence of inaccurate measurements of the radiation acting on a specimen.A set of criteria for acceptable dates is proposed.Thermoluminescence Dating Thermoluminescence can be used to date materials containing crystalline minerals to a specific heating event.
This is useful for ceramics, as it determines the date of firing, as well as for lava, or even sediments that were exposed to substantial sunlight.
These crystalline solids are constantly subjected to ionizing radiation from their environment, which causes some energized electrons to become trapped in defects in the molecular crystal structure.