OSL stands for Optically Stimulated Luminescence. It is a method used mainly in physics to measure doses of ionizing radiation. The technique is applied in two main areas:
- Luminescence dating of ancient materials, mainly geological sediments and sometimes ceramics.
- Radiation dosimetry, which measures accumulated radiation dose in tissues of workers exposed to radiation, as well as in building materials in nuclear disaster regions.
The OSL method works by measuring electrons trapped in imperfections within the crystal structures of minerals like quartz and feldspar. When stimulated by light, these trapped electrons are released and emit light, which can be measured to calculate the absorbed radiation dose or to date the time since the minerals were last exposed to sunlight or heat. OSL dating is useful in archaeology and geology for dating sediment deposits and ceramics, especially where organic material (used in radiocarbon dating) is absent. It can determine the time since mineral grains were last exposed to light, effectively dating events like sediment burial or the last heating of pottery. Additionally, OSL dosimeters are highly sensitive, capable of accurately measuring very low radiation doses, making them ideal for monitoring workers in low-radiation environments. In other contexts, "OSL" may refer to different things, such as a Hong Kong-based digital asset trading company (OSL Group) or the term "Object Source Lighting" in miniature painting, but the primary and most common scientific meaning relates to optically stimulated luminescence technology. If you want more detail on any of these meanings, I can provide focused information.
