Luminescence Dating Calculator

Calculate the age of sediment or ceramic samples using luminescence dating (OSL/TL). Enter the equivalent dose and environmental dose rate components.

Dating Method

Equivalent Dose - De (Gy)

De Uncertainty (+/- Gy)

Alpha Rate (Gy/ka)

Beta Rate (Gy/ka)

Gamma Rate (Gy/ka)

Cosmic Dose Rate (Gy/ka)

Water Content (% by weight)

Luminescence Age

ka (thousand years)

Age Range (+/-)

Total Dose Rate

Water-Corrected Dose Rate

Calendar Date (est.)

Luminescence Dating Formulas

Age (ka) = Equivalent Dose (Gy) / Dose Rate (Gy/ka)

Dose Rate = Alpha + Beta + Gamma + Cosmic

Water correction: DR_corr = DR_dry / (1 + 1.25 * W) for beta/gamma

Luminescence dating measures the accumulated radiation dose in mineral grains (quartz or feldspar) since they were last exposed to light (OSL) or heat (TL). The age is the ratio of accumulated dose to environmental dose rate. Water content attenuates radiation and must be corrected for.

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