Parameters of osl traps determined with various linear heating rates

An analysis method is introduced for traps which give rise to optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). For pulse-annealing experiments, the relationship between the temperature at which maximum OSL depletion occurs and the linear heating rate used to deplete the trapped charge is established, and this allows trap parameters to be determined. The lifetime at ambient temperature can be obtained from these parameters assuming first-order kinetics; Experimental data for a sedimentary K-feldspar separate are presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.