Analysis of OSL intensity increase with temperature and its consequences for dating applications

OSL dependence on temperature in the range from RT to 230 °C has been investigated in quartz separated from sediments in order to determinate the main OSL component responsible for the OSL intensity increase with temperature. The optical cross section spectra have been found and four OSL components have been recognized. The significant changes of the relative contributions of individual components in the total signal with temperature have been observed. The share of fast and medium components decreases with temperature. The characteristic behaviour of the intensities of these components, found also in the computer simulations of equivalent OSL process, indicates that both components can be related to one trap. The share of the slow component increases clearly above 150 °C. Because of the increase of the unstable super fast component above 80 °C, the temperature range below this temperature has been indicated as the most safe for OSL measurement in OSL dating.