Characterisation of low OSL intensity quartz from the New Zealand Alps

Quartz from Westland in the western foreland of the New Zealand Alps shows low luminescence intensity and large changes in the sensitivity that are not sufficiently corrected for by the single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Sensitisation of quartz occurs after repeated irradiation and luminescence read out, as well as by thermal annealing. Furthermore, some samples show a significant influence of thermal transfer on the determination of the equivalent dose. Hence, quartz from this particular area is unsuitable for use as a natural dosimeter for luminescence dating. It is demonstrated that the poor luminescence properties are not related to the source rock and cathodoluminescence characteristics but are apparently mainly the effect of the young sedimentary history of the quartz grains. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.