Use of phototransfer for the anomalous fading of thermoluminescence

Reference is made to the anomalous fading of thermoluminescence reported in minerals typical of the inclusions found in archaeological pottery, an effect that leads to an erroneous evaluation of the age using conventional TL methods. Minerals involved include zircon and fluorapatite, which were found to be the most promising for application of the phototransfer or 're-excited' glow technique (see Schlesinger, J. Phys. Chem. Solids; 26:1761 (1965)). Application of this technique to these minerals is here described. It was found that anomalous fading could be circumvented, or at least substantially reduced, in this way. (U.K.)