Recent developments in luminescence dating and potential future applications to Japanese sediments

The developments in luminescence dating methods, especially regarding feldspar dating techniques and rock surface and burial dating, over the past decade are summarized. Post-IR IRSL (pRIR) and pulsed IRSL methods for feldspar have been developed to reduce anomalous fading (athermal loss of signals). The pRIR signal at higher stimulation temperatures is generally more stable (fades less) ; however, the signal is difficult to bleach, which is problematic for water-lain sediments. The pulsed IRSL signal has both advantages, being athermally stable and quickly bleachable. Newly developed methods for measur-ing surface exposure and burial ages for rock surfaces and gravels are also introduced.