thermoluminescence

thermoluminescence
/therr'moh looh'meuh nes"euhns/, n. Physics.
phosphorescence produced by the heating of a substance.
[1895-1900; THERMO- + LUMINESCENCE]

* * *

Emission of light from certain heated substances as a result of previous exposure to high-energy radiation.

The radiation causes displacement of electrons within the crystal lattice of the substance. Upon heating, the trapped electrons return to their normal, lower-energy positions, releasing energy in the process. The longer the substance is exposed to radiation, the greater is the energy released. By measuring the amount of light given off, the duration of exposure to radiation can be determined; thus, thermoluminescence has been used to determine the age of various minerals and archaeological artifacts.

* * *

      emission of light from some minerals and certain other crystalline materials. The light energy released is derived from electron displacements within the crystal lattice of such a substance caused by previous exposure to high-energy radiation. Heating the substance at temperatures of about 450° C (842° F) and higher enables the trapped electrons to return to their normal positions, resulting in the release of energy. The intensity of the emission can be correlated to the length of time that a given substance was exposed to radiation; the longer the time allowed for the radiation to build up an inventory of trapped electrons, the greater the energy released. Because of this feature, thermoluminescence has been exploited as a means of dating various minerals and archaeological artifacts.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Thermoluminescence — de fluorite. La thermoluminescence est un phénomène physique lié à la capacité de certains cristaux d accumuler l énergie cédée par les rayonnements ionisants issus de la radioactivité et de restituer cette énergie sous forme de lumière lorsqu… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • thermoluminescence — [ tɛrmolyminesɑ̃s ] n. f. • 1897; de thermo et luminescence ♦ Sc. Luminescence provoquée par l élévation de la température d une substance préalablement excitée par irradiation. Datation par thermoluminescence (ou datation TL) d objets… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Thermoluminescence — Ther mo*lu mi*nes cence, n. (Physics) Luminescence exhibited by a substance on being moderately heated. It is shown esp. by certain substances that have been exposed to the action of light or to X rays. {Ther mo*lu mi*nes cent}, a. [Webster 1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thermoluminescence — [thʉr΄mōlo͞o΄mə nes′əns] n. [ THERMO + LUMINESCENCE] the release in the form of light of stored energy from a substance when it is heated thermoluminescent adj …   English World dictionary

  • Thermoluminescence — Some mineral substances such as fluorite store energy when exposed to ultraviolet or other ionising radiation. This energy is released in the form of light when the mineral is heated; the phenomenon is distinct from that of black body… …   Wikipedia

  • thermoluminescence — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1897 1. phosphorescence developed in a previously excited substance upon gentle heating 2. the determination of the age of old material (as pottery) by the amount of thermoluminescence it… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • thermoluminescence — termoliuminescencija statusas T sritis Standartizacija ir metrologija apibrėžtis Šviesos ar kietąja rentgeno spinduliuote sužadinto šildomo kristalo švytėjimas. atitikmenys: angl. thermoluminescence vok. Thermolumineszenz, f rus.… …   Penkiakalbis aiškinamasis metrologijos terminų žodynas

  • thermoluminescence — šiluminė liuminescencija statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. thermoluminescence vok. Thermolumineszenz, f rus. термолюминесценция, f pranc. thermoluminescence, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • thermoluminescence — termoliuminescencija statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Rentgeno spinduliuote sužadinto kristalo švytėjimas jį pašildžius. atitikmenys: angl. thermoluminescence rus. термолюминесценция …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • Thermoluminescence dating — Thermoluminescence (TL) dating is the determination by means of measuring the accumulated radiation dose of the time elapsed since material containing crystalline minerals was either heated (lava, ceramics) or exposed to sunlight (sediments). As… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”