Introducing a MATLAB-based app for simulating luminescence sample histories

Abstract Luminescence dating researchers benefit from many community-led software packages. These packages assist with data reduction, statistical modeling, calculation of dosimetric values, and plot production. Yet few resources are simultaneously intuitive, meant for simulating the reduction and growth of luminescence signals, and accessible to non-specialists. The Luminescence Sample Simulator (LuSS) is an application with a graphical user interface that simulates how apparent age and fractional saturation respond to three key scenarios in luminescence dating: sunlight exposure, heat exposure, and burial. Users can simulate these scenarios for an individual cobble or sand grain, or for a population of 100 sand grains. The underlying kinetic parameters can be adjusted manually or taken from a built-in library of published values. Plots of apparent age histograms, luminescence depth profiles, or fractional saturation and apparent age histories are visualized and can be exported. LuSS is written in MATLAB and can operate as a free-to-use, standalone application, or as an app within an existing MATLAB installation. A typical user workflow and three worked examples show how LuSS can model luminescence signal evolution in response to geologic scenarios. Limitations of LuSS include its inability to capture athermal fading or between-grain variability in geologic dose rate or sensitivity.