Equipment for Luminescence Tomography of rock, sediment and soil structures

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We apply for an innovative instrument package for the Institute of Geography at the University of Cologne (UoC), which shall be used to develop cutting-edge luminescence tomographies. As main device a new generation luminescence reader will be purchased, which is tailored to InfraRed PhotoLuminescence (IRPL, Prasad et al. 2017; Kumar et al. 2018) and enables spatially resolved luminescence imaging (e.g. HR-IRPL, EMCCD). With the help of IRPL, we can read for the first time dosimetric luminescence information from natural minerals non-destructively. In addition to more specific methodological investigations, this allows improved luminescence analyses of rock surfaces, saprolitic or volcanic materials. These investigations will form the basis for the full development of spatially resolved techniques (especially HR-IRPL, Sellwood et al. 2019). As an associated device to the new generation luminescence reader, we apply for a micro-XRF spectrometer, which shall be used to spatially map element distributions of rock or soil surfaces. Both devices will be installed in the laboratories of the Institute of Geography of the UoC. Internal and external users from the Geoscience Department in Cologne and the Geoverbund ABC/J will also have access to the luminescence tomography instrument package. This innovative instrument package will enable us to record the luminescence properties of mineral grains in their spatial context (luminescence instrument) and to merge this information with elemental distribution maps (micro-XRF). Initially, our luminescence group will develop the methodological basis for IRPL and luminescence imaging. The aim of the methodical investigations is to enable luminescence tomography with the purpose to decode relevant rock, sediment and soil structures in three spatial dimensions and time. Besides spatially resolved numerical age sequences, we can use these novel data to extract contextual and/or process information regarding soil-landscape dynamics or archaeological artifacts. This will enable the applicant and his team to develop highly innovative geoscientific and archaeological applications in close cooperation with the co-applicants.This application extends and strengthens the internationally visible Cologne Luminescence Laboratory (CLL) and thus the geochronological focus at the UoC. The integration of different co-users from the field of Geosciences and Archaeology not only shows the great demand but also the great potential to initiate the develop of highly innovative applications. This will result in excellent networking opportunities and synergies within the Department of Geosciences (UoC), the Geoverbund ABC/J and the Institute of Pre- and Ancient History (UoC). To the best of our knowledge, this instrument package is unique in Central Europe and will contribute to the further strengthen the position of the UoC as an excellent geoscientific research location.