Thermoluminescence and fission track impact features of rocks

Results of thermoluminescence (TL) measurement of quartz sandstone before and after impact using a two-stage light gas gun pressure apparatus indicate that, the TL of quartz sandstone decreases as the impact pressure increases, there exists a TL gradient from the outside to the inside around the impacted area, and the induced TL at the same location also has a TL gradient. Impact experiments were conducted under pressures of 12.4, 28.9, 37.8, 51.8, 64.6 and 77.6 GPa, respectively, and fission track density and fission track length before and after the impact were measured. Results demonstrate that the fission track density is decreased and the fission track length is shortened as the impact pressure is increased.