Characterization of Fundamental Luminescence Properties of the Mars Soil Simulant JSC Mars-1 and Their Relevance to Absolute Dating of Martian Eolian Sediments

Abstract

This report explores the potential for luminescence dating techniques to provide absolute age determinations of eolian sediments on the surface of Mars, including those incorporated in the martian polar ice caps. Fundamental thermally and optically stimulated luminescence properties of bulk samples of JSC Mars-1 soil simulant are reported and their relevance to the development of dating procedures is discussed. The radiation-induced luminescence signals (both thermoluminescence, TL, and optically stimulated luminescence, OSL) from JSC Mars-1 are found to have a wide dynamic dose–response range, with the luminescence increasing linearly to the highest doses used (936 Gy), following irradiation with 90Sr/ 90Y beta particles. The signals are also susceptible to solar resetting, with the OSL signals decreasing to <10% of their original levels within the first 20 min of exposure to sunlight. The TL signal also decays rapidly, being reduced to ∼15% within the first 20 min, but reaches a stable, nonzero level at long bleaching times. Neither the TL nor the OSL signals exhibit fading (i.e., loss of signal after irradiation before TL or OSL readout), nor do they exhibit significant sensitivity changes upon repeated irradiation and readout. These three properties (wide dynamic range, solar bleaching, and signal stability) form a stable base for future investigation of the material for luminescence dating and form a preliminary step toward development of dating protocols for terrestrial analogs of Mars surface materials. We conclude that luminescence dating, properly developed, holds the potential to be a valuable tool for absolute dating of martian eolian sediments