About
The Luminescence and Gamma Spectrometry Laboratory (LEGAL) is a shared research facility dedicated to understanding luminescence geochronology, sedimentary provenance, landscape evolution, and Earth surface processes. Established in 2012 with support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), LEGAL has become a leading center for luminescence dating in South America.
At LEGAL, we specialize in optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, a technique that measures the time since mineral grains such as quartz and feldspar were last exposed to sunlight or heating. This method is a resourceful tool for determining absolute ages of sediments, making it possible to reconstruct depositional histories, trace soil development, and investigate archaeological contexts. By providing chronological frameworks for the Late Quaternary, OSL dating helps scientists address fundamental questions about past climates, landscape changes, and human activities. In addition to OSL dating, LEGAL also focuses on OSL sensitivity, an emerging and innovative proxy for sediment provenance studies.
LEGAL collaborates closely with academic groups at different levels, involving undergraduate and graduate students as well as early-career and senior researchers. Our projects focus on the connections between environmental change and climate change in South America, spanning timescales from millennia to millions of years.
We strongly encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and active user participation throughout the research process—from sample preparation and instrument operation to data analysis. This hands-on involvement not only familiarizes users with the laboratory’s analytical techniques but also strengthens their ability to critically evaluate results and apply them effectively in their own research.
By combining cutting-edge analytical facilities with a collaborative and educational environment, LEGAL serves as both a research hub and a training ground for the next generation of Earth scientists. Our commitment to excellence, openness, and innovation ensures that the laboratory continues to advance scientific understanding of South America’s past while supporting diverse projects that address global questions about climate, environment, and human history.