thermoluminescence

[ thur-moh-loo-muh-nes-uhns ]

noun

, Physics.

1. phosphorescence produced by the heating of a substance.

thermoluminescence

/ ˌθɜːməʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns /

noun

1. phosphorescence of certain materials or objects as a result of heating. It is caused by pre-irradiation of the material inducing defects which are removed by the heat, the energy released appearing as light: used in archaeological dating

Derived Forms

• ˌthermoˌlumiˈnescent, adjective

Other Words From

• thermo·lumi·nescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermoluminescence¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; thermo- + luminescence

Example Sentences

Another team working at the same site applied a technique called thermoluminescence dating to bricks used in the site's architecture.

From Salon

With tales of conspiracy, mishandled funds and even federal neglect, I knew I had found a good story, no matter how buried it was in arcane scientific details, thermoluminescence dating, electronic spin resonance and superconducting quantum interference.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Rudigier has science: thermoluminescence testing, which dates an object by measuring light levels emitted when traces of the bronze’s casting core, made from materials like clay and still left inside the sculpture, are removed and heated.

From New York Times

Known for its striking rock art, researchers proposed in 1989 that the shelter was the oldest human occupation in Australia, after they dated sediments containing stone tools to 50,000 to 60,000 years ago using the then-experimental method of thermoluminescence.

From Science Magazine

They used a technique called thermoluminescence to date stone tools found in the same stratum as the fossils.

From Economist