SPEED DATING!: ADVICE ON SAMPLING AND APPLICATIONS FOR LUMINESCENCE DATING

This information booth provides researchers a unique opportunity to assess the application of luminescence dating in their field of study ‘through the lens of the dating specialist’. Like other geochronologic methods, luminescence dating requires the individual researcher and luminescence specialist to work together from the beginning of the project to ensure that sampling and analytical methods used and minerals analyzed are appropriate to address research goals and questions. Consultation with a lab prior to field work will also help avoid collection of non-ideal/ unsuitable material, submittal of incomplete samples, or missing information required for dating. Luminescence specialists are available to help assess the specific luminescence technique, grain size and mineral fraction needed to produce the most accurate age results from each setting.

All U.S.-based laboratories operate under standard protocols like optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of quartz, and/or infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) of feldspar, and some specialize in other capabilities like single-grain and/or fine-grain dating, pulsed luminescence, and/or thermal transfer OSL. Moreover, some labs have greater expertise in particular applications such as dating archaeological pottery or rock surfaces and some have specialized equipment for in situ gamma spectrometry and field portable luminescence measurements. Luminescence specialists will be able to route researchers to the most appropriate techniques and labs to use for analysis.

The Luminescence SpeedDating! booth will provide researchers with information and points of contact with lead scientists in luminescence dating. This ‘ask an expert’ booth aims to provide one-on-one interaction with curious minds to provide demonstrations, examples of preferred sampling containers, hand-outs and easy-to-digest field and laboratory sampling procedures, an overview of the basic principles, a list of available labs, displays on new and innovative approaches, and examples of results from the method. There will be time to elaborate on the complexities of the sub-techniques in luminescence dating, allowing luminescence lab personnel the opportunity to answer some of the questions often asked by researchers who wish to apply the techniques to their research.