Open AccessA scanning system for measuring the age‐related luminescence of split sediment cores
Author(s) -
POOLTON NIGEL R. J.,
BØTTERJENSEN LARS,
WINTLE ANN G.,
YPMA PETER J.,
KNUDSEN KAREN LUISE,
MEJDAHL VAGN,
MAUZ BARBARA,
CHRISTIANSEN HENRIK E.,
JAKOBSEN JØRGEN,
JØRGENSEN FINN,
WILLUMSEN FINN
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
boreas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1502-3885
pISSN - 0300-9483
DOI - 10.1111/j.1502-3885.1996.tb00849.x
Subject(s) - monochromator , optically stimulated luminescence , feldspar , luminescence , geology , sediment , quartz , mineralogy , silicate , remote sensing , normalization (sociology) , thermoluminescence dating , deposition (geology) , wavelength , materials science , optoelectronics , paleontology , chemistry , organic chemistry , sociology , anthropology
This article describes the development and performance of an integrated optical sensor system that has been designed for rapid analysis of split sediment cores. The primary aim of the system is to obtain information based on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques; these provide a record of the accrued radiation dose of material since deposition. Particularly after suitable normalization, the luminescence signal recorded along the length of the core will provide information on the relative age of the sediment. Two wavelengths of stimulation are used (infra‐red and green) and these probe the feldspar, and combined feldspar and quartz components of the sediment respectively; the ratio of the two signals can thus provide some indication of relative changes in the silicate mineralogy. A secondary use of the system is for optical reflectance measurements. With the addition of a monochromator, optical reflectance spectroscopy can be applied to obtain additional information on down‐core mineralogical changes. In this article we describe technical aspects of the sensor system, discuss measurement techniques and consider the relevance of data obtained. Two examples of sediment cores are presented, which demonstrate the applicability of the instrument.