Luminescence sensitivity changes of quartz by bleaching, annealing and UV exposure

Abstract

The sensitivities of quartz luminescence signals to dose were studied after ionizing irradiation, ultraviolet (UV) exposure and different annealing conditions. The relationship between the 110°C thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) were studied on the same aliquot by looking at the ratio of both signals created by a test dose. It is suggested that the sensitivity changes of both signals are closely related, but not identical. Significant differences are observed when annealing to temperatures higher than 500°C. A modified model was proposed to interpret the observations. The similarity is interpreted as the same R hole centers are shared by both signals, whereas 110°C TL only uses additional R hole centers. Dramatic changes in luminescence sensitivity for quartz relate to the phase changes.