A robust feldspar luminescence dating method for Middle and Late P leistocene sediments

Luminescence dating is used extensively to provide absolute chronologies for Late P leistocene sediments. Nowadays, most optical dates are based on quartz optically stimulated luminescence ( OSL ). However, the application of this signal is usually limited to the last ∼100 ka because of saturation of the quartz luminescence signal with dose. In contrast, the feldspar infrared stimulated luminescence ( IRSL ) dose–response curve grows to much higher doses; this has the potential to extend the datable age range by a factor of 4–5 compared with quartz OSL . However, it has been known for several decades that this IRSL signal is unstable, and this instability often gives rise to significant age underestimation.…