thermolumiˈnescent, a.
[f. thermo- + luminescent.]
Characterized by or pertaining to thermoluminescence. Also used spec. of a means of dating ancient pottery and other material; abbrev. TL s.v. T 6 a.
| 1899 A. S. Herschel in Nature 11 May 29/2 A very moderate degree of heat suffices to expel completely from minerals..all the store of thermo⁓luminescent energy which..they more or less abundantly possess. 1962 Oxf. Univ. Gaz. 9 Mar. 788/2 Thermoluminescent Dating. The principle of this technique is that radiation damage accumulates in all clay due to the natural radio⁓activity of uranium and thorium impurities [etc.]. 1968 New Scientist 21 Mar. 644/2 The initial thermoluminescent measurements are capable of good accuracy and reproducibility. 1970 Daily Tel. 25 Apr. 11/6 The thermo⁓luminescent method is based on the fact that many minerals when heated to temperatures around 500°C. emit light, additional to the ordinary red-hot glow. 1971 Physics Bull. Oct. 579/1 Nearly all acidic rocks and sedimentary carbonates are thermoluminescent. |