DRAC: Dose Rate and Age Calculator for trapped charge dating

Julie A. Durcan, Georgina Elizabeth King, Geoffrey A T Duller

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Abstract

Accurate calculation of the environmental radiation dose rate (D˙) is an essential part of trapped charge dating methods, such as luminescence and electron spin resonance dating. Although the calculation of D˙ is not mathematically complex, the incorporation of multiple variables and the propagation of uncertainties can be challenging. The Dose Rate and Age Calculator (DRAC) is an open access, web-based program which enables rapid D˙ calculation for trapped charge dating applications. Users can select from recently published attenuation and conversion factors to make mathematically robust, reproducible D˙ calculations. Comparison of DRAC calculated D˙ values against the published D˙ determinations of 422 samples from 32 studies results in a reproducibility ratio of 1.01±0.05. It is anticipated that DRAC will facilitate easier inter-laboratory comparisons and will provide greater transparency for D˙ calculations. DRAC will be updated to reflect the latest advances in D˙ calculation and is freely accessible at www.aber.ac.uk/alrl/drac. The code for DRAC is available from github at https://github.com/DRAC-calculator/DRAC-calculator.  Embargo until 31/03/2017

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)54-61
Number of pages8
JournalQuaternary Geochronology
Volume28
Early online date31 Mar 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jun 2015

Keywords

  • Age
  • Calculator
  • Dose rate
  • DRAC
  • Electron spin resonance dating
  • Luminescence dating
  • Open access
  • Software

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