Construction of a Portable Mini Luminescence-Measurement System Equipped with a Miniature X-Ray Generator

Abstract

For the purpose of both luminescence dosimetry and dating, a new portable mini automated luminescence-measuring system has been developed. The main parts of the new system consist of the stimulation unit, an irradiation unit and the photon detector. The size of the main measuring box is approximately 300×300×300 mm. In particular, to keep the electric power as low as possible, a miniature X-ray (Oxford, Eclipse II reflection target) generator and a metal-packaged photomultiplier tube (PMT) (Hamamatsu photonics, H7421-40) were adopted here. 16 blue LEDs were employed for the stimulation of quartz OSL. The same LED holder can be used for pulsed-OSL (P-OSL) measurements. The weight of the main part of this system was about 15 kg. In order to check the usefulness of the new system, red thermoluminescence (RTL) glow curves were measured to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) using a volcanic quartz sample. These results show that the new system improves the S/N ratio in comparison with an existing handmade system. The estimated RTL equivalent (or paleo) dose using quartz extracted from an archaeological roof tile of Shin-Yakushiji temple by means of the SAR protocol was in good agreement with previous measurements. This proves that the new system is suitable for practical use for RTL-measurements either for dosimetry or for dating with a high S/N ratio.

The potential of portable luminescence readers in geomorphological investigations: a review

“…the instruments developed by Takeuchi et al . (2008) and by Kook et al . (2011)), the development would certainly be consequential.…”

“…The potential benefits of being able to conduct a quick assessment of the luminescence properties of depositional sequences in the field has long been appreciated in geology and geomorphology. Concepts of portable luminescence readers that reached the development stage over the last three decades include instruments reported by Poolton et al (1994), Takeuchi et al (2008), Sanderson and Murphy (2010), and Kook et al (2011). Each of these instruments is discussed briefly below.…”

“…Portable OSL reader developed by Takeuchi et al (2008) Similar to the design by Poolton et al (1994), the reader developed by Takeuchi et al (2008) has a multiple sample holder with 13 positions. Weighing about 15kg, the unit can perform both thermal (red thermoluminescence, RTL) and optical (OSL) stimulation.…”

An Overview of Red-Thermoluminescence (RTL) Studies on Heated Quartz and RTL Application to Dosimetry and Dating

“…A recent advancement in our luminescence measurement system towards a portable assembly will appear in another paper (Takeuchi and Hashimoto, 2008).…”

Strategies for equivalent dose determination without heating, suitable for portable luminescence readers

“…In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the development and use of portable luminescence systems to assess unprepared sediment samples, particularly for deployment at (or at least near) field sites (e.g. Poolton et al, 1994;Takeuchi et al, 2008;Sanderson and Murphy, 2010;Kook et al, 2011). The design of these systems has varied.…”