Development of a spatially resolved dating technique using HR-OSL

Most natural materials show significant grain-to-grain variability of luminescence and dose-rate characteristics. If inadequate averaging is applied, incorrect ages may result. This is usually circumvented by mineral and grain-size fractioning. The latter is not, however, feasible for stone surfaces. A spatially resolved dating technique has been developed encompassing laboratory processing of stone samples, two devices for high-resolution spatial recording of OSL (HR-OSL), a software program for data evaluation, and dose-rate modelling at grain-size level. Beside the application to stone surfaces, HR-OSL can contribute to the fundamentals of luminescence dating and lead to novel applications.