Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol

Single aliquot protocols are now widely used as a means of measuring the eq uivalent dose (D-e) in quartz and feldspar optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of both heated and sedimentary materials. The most recent of t hese is the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol, first suggeste d by Murray and Roberts (Radiation Measurements 29, 503-515, 1998). In this approach, each natural or regenerated dose OSL measurement is corrected fo r changes in sensitivity using the OSL response to a subsequent test dose ( 10-20% of D-e). If the sensitivity correction is adequate, then the correct ed OSL response should be independent of prior dose and thermal/optical tre atment, i.e. there should be no change in the sensitivity-corrected dose-re sponse curve on remeasurement. Here we examine the interpretation of the se nsitivity corrected growth curve as a function of dose, and the effect of c hanging measurement conditions (e.g. preheat temperature, size of lest dose , stimulation temperature) on the estimation of D-e. The dependence of the dose response on prior treatment is tested explicitly and the significance of thermal transfer discussed. It is concluded that a robust SAR protocol i s now available for quartz, and that it is applicable to a wide range of he ated and unheated materials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.