MEASUREMENT OF THE STIMULATION SPECTRUM (1.2-1.7 EV) FOR A SPECIMEN OF POTASSIUM-FELDSPAR USING A TUNABLE SOLID-STATE LASER

The dating of sediments by infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) has attracted considerable interest, particularly in view of the simple m eans by which it can be measured. However, little is known of either t he physical mechanisms which are associated with IRSL or the character istics to be expected when using the technique to evaluate accrued dos e in feldspar-bearing samples. The IRSL stimulation spectrum has been measured for a specimen of orthoclase which shows a single broad band at room temperature with a maximum at 1.46 eV and FWHM, 0.17 eV. The f orm of the stimulation spectrum was found to be substantially unchange d under various measurement conditions including: (a) elevated sample temperature during stimulation and (b) detection of IRSL in the wavele ngth regions of either of the two major emission bands.