Finding model parameters: Genetic algorithms and the numerical modelling of quartz luminescence

The paper presents an application of genetic algorithms (GAs) to the problem of finding appropriate parameter values for the numerical simulation of quartz thermoluminescence (TL). We show that with the use of GAs it is possible to achieve a very good match between simulated and experimentally measured characteristics of quartz, for example the thermal activation characteristics of fired quartz. The rate equations of charge transport in the numerical model of luminescence in quartz contain a large number of parameters (trap depths, frequency factors, populations, charge capture probabilities, optical detrapping probabilities, and recombination probabilities). Given that comprehensive models consist of over 10 traps, finding model parameters proves a very difficult task. Manual parameter changes are very time consuming and allow only a limited degree of accuracy. GAs provide a semi-automatic way of finding appropriate parameters. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.