DRAC: Dose Rate and Age Calculator for trapped charge dating

Journal article

Accurate calculation of the environmental radiation dose rate (Ḋ) is an essential part of trapped charge dating methods, such as luminescence and electron spin resonance dating. Although the calculation of Ḋ 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 Ḋ calculation for trapped charge dating applications. Users can select from recently published attenuation and conversion factors to make mathematically robust, reproducible Ḋ calculations. Comparison of DRAC calculated Ḋ values against the published Ḋ 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 Ḋ calculations. DRAC will be updated to reflect the latest advances in Ḋ 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.

Authors: Durcan, J; King, G; Duller, G

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Quaternary Geochronology
• Volume: 28
• Pages: 54-61
• Acceptance date: 2015-03-30
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quageo.2015.03.012
• EISSN: 1878-0350
• ISSN: 1871-1014
• Language: English
• Keywords: dose rate; electron spin resonance dating; open access; luminescence dating; DRAC; software; age; calculator