Photostimulated Luminescence as an Archaeological Dating Tool

Clark, Robert James (1992) Photostimulated Luminescence as an Archaeological Dating Tool. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Photostimulated Luminescence (PSL) is the process where charge carriers trapped at impurity and defect sites in a crystalline lattice are evicted by photon absorption and recombine with the emission of electromagnetic radiation. In this particular field of study, the charge carriers initially become trapped after the absorption of ionising radiation, and the PSL signal is dependent upon the total absorbed dose. PSL is a relatively recent development in thermoluminescence dating and has shown good potential for implementation as an archaeological dating tool, for both heated (i.e. pottery) and unheated (i.e. quaternary sediments) samples. However, prior to such implementation, it is suggested that it is necessary to explore the fundamental physical mechanisms governing the PSL phenomenon. The work presented in this thesis is centred on the exploration of these mechanisms in feldspars. Theoretical considerations are discussed together with the development of a simple mathematical model. This is followed by thorough exploration of the PSL in feldspar using many analytical techniques including spectroscopic studies, thermal stability studies, exploration of the dependency upon stimulation temperature and the response to pulsed stimulation. The results generated by this research are then used to propose modifications to an existing energy model. The dose response in a feldspar is explored and this (in combination with the earlier studies) is used to propose a dosimetric technique that may be used for dating purposes. This technique is demonstrated to be able to recover known laboratory doses after the development and implementation of formulae to account for loss mechanisms during the measurement process. The results are discussed and further areas of study leading towards a reliable, accurate and precise dating tool are suggested.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: D CW Sanderson
• Keywords: Analytical chemistry, Archaeology
• Date of Award: 1992
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1992-74653
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2019 17:20
• Last Modified: 27 Sep 2019 17:20
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74653