Radiofluorescence of Quartz: Challenges and application of a new dating technique

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Since the early beginnings in the 1950s, luminescence dating techniques have become one of the most important dating techniques in Quaternary research. The datable event is the last sunlight exposure (optically stimulated luminescence, OSL) or heating (thermally stimulated luminescence, TL) of natural minerals like quartz or feldspar. Luminescence processes during measurement occur in the course optical (OSL) or thermal (TL) stimulation. In contrast, radiofluorescence (RF) is observed during irradiation. For feldspar RF has been successfully tested for dating application on sediments. For natural quartz separates, however, only little is known since only few studies are available. Using innovative measurement equipment, the aim of this project is to evaluate the potential of RF of quartz for use as a dating method. Intended as a preliminary study, the project promotes methodological research in luminescence dating and consists of five parts: (1) selection and investigation of quartz reference samples using standard methods (e.g. ICP-MS, X-ray diffractometry), (2) investigation of basic RF characteristics of the chosen quartz samples, (3) development of a software tool for RF dating analysis using the numerical programming language R, (4) development of a preliminary measurement protocol for RF dating of quartz, (5) optional: comparison of RF dating results with conventionally (OSL/TL) determined luminescence ages. The project is seeking for a better understanding of the RF phenomenon of quartz in particular and for deeper insights into fundamental luminescence processes in general.