The alpha effectiveness in silt-sized quartz: new data obtained by single and multiple aliquot protocols

Abstract

The luminescence effectiveness of alpha particles in silt-sized quartz originating from different regions in Europe and North America is presented. Single aliquot regenerative dose (SAR) protocols were used along with the a-value system. The study shows that a-values are independent of a sample’s origin, but dependent on the alpha- and beta-doses administered. Sensitivity changes induced by alpha-doses administered during a SAR procedure are not corrected by the beta dose induced test dose OSL. For samples displaying a linear beta-dose response an average a-value of 0.03 was found. For samples exhibiting exponential saturating beta-dose response the a-values determined are higher confirming the dose dependence of the alpha effectiveness in quartz.