Studies on the physics of the infrared radioluminescence of potassium feldspar and on the methodology of its application to sediment dating

Abstract

The methodology of the new infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating technique on K feldspar applied to the age determination of Quaternary sediments overcomes many physical problems, which often occur when luminescence dating methods are used (undefined dose characteristics, sensitivity changes, statistical problems due to small number of measured dose points, etc.). However, there are unanswered physical questions, which influence can adversely affect the dating precision. This paper summarises ideas to solve problems of the functional dose curve description of the IR-RF. Some new aspects of the physical interpretation of the IR luminescence are reported, together with new results of a luminescence emission band at 910 nm in K feldspars. Furthermore, derived from investigations on Pb-doped KCl crystals, we discuss a mechanism of the dissociation of Pb 2+ to Pb + during interaction with ionising radiation as possible origin of the creation of the electron trap at 1.43 eV in the K feldspar lattice.