Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)

Before being buried in sediment, crystals exposed to sunlight lose previously stored energy from radiation. This sets the geological ‘clock’ to zero.

Name: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)

Material used: Wind-blown sediment with lots of quartz or feldspar mineral grains

Age range: Younger than 100,000 years ago

How it works: Measures radiation that the mineral receives after it has been buried away from light

Rights: Dr Uwe Rieser and Ms Ningsheng Wang, Luminescence Dating Laboratory, Victoria University of Wellington

Published: 23 February 2022Size: 52.6 KB

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Before being buried in sediment, crystals exposed to sunlight lose previously stored energy from radiation. This sets the geological ‘clock’ to zero.

Name: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)

Material used: Wind-blown sediment with lots of quartz or feldspar mineral grains

Age range: Younger than 100,000 years ago

How it works: Measures radiation that the mineral receives after it has been buried away from light

Rights: Dr Uwe Rieser and Ms Ningsheng Wang, Luminescence Dating Laboratory, Victoria University of Wellington

Published: 23 February 2022Size: 52.6 KB

See our newsletters here.

Glossary