A difference between optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) is:
A) OSL dates the last time sediment was exposed to light, while TL dates the last time artifacts were heated.
B) OSL dates the last time artifacts were heated, while TL dates the last time sediment was exposed to light.
C) OSL relies on radiocarbon dating while TL is a trapped charge dating method.
D) OSL is a trapped charge dating method while TL relies on radiocarbon dating.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

OSL and TL are both trapped charge dating methods, but they differ in the kind of event they date: OSL dates the last time sediment was exposed to light, effectively "resetting" the luminescence signal, while TL dates the last time an object was heated, which also resets the luminescence signal in materials like ceramics or lava.

A Difference Between Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Thermoluminescence (TL)