Correlation between the composition and irradiation-induced luminescence of feldspars

Irradiation-induced luminescence of feldspar minerals depends on the elemen tal composition. Factors influencing the luminescence intensity of feldspar s occurring in irradiated porphyritic granodiorite were studied by autoradi ography and optical densitometry with digital image processing. The element al composition of the feldspars was studied by energy dispersive X-ray spec trometric analysis (EDS). Luminescence was more intense for K feldspars tha n for plagioclase. Also, K feldspar and plagioclase had distinct irradiatio n dose response curves, reflecting the different elemental compositions of the minerals. Higher FeO concentration was manifested in a decrease of the luminescence intensity.