title: Laser-stimulated fluorescence in paleontology.
abstract: Fluorescence using ultraviolet (UV) light has seen increased use as a tool in paleontology over the last decade. Laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) is a next generation technique that is emerging as a way to fluoresce paleontological specimens that remain dark under typical UV. A laser's ability to concentrate very high flux rates both at the macroscopic and microscopic levels results in specimens fluorescing in ways a standard UV bulb cannot induce. Presented here are five paleontological case histories that illustrate the technique across a broad range of specimens and scales. Novel uses such as back-lighting opaque specimens to reveal detail and detection of specimens completely obscured by matrix are highlighted in these examples. The recent cost reductions in medium-power short wavelength lasers and use of standard photographic filters has now made this technique widely accessible to researchers. This technology has the potential to automate multiple aspects of paleontology, including preparation and sorting of microfossils. This represents a highly cost-effective way to address paleontology's preparatory bottleneck.
authors.affiliation: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Department of Biology, Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amanda R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.affiliation: Vertebrate Palaeontology Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pittman
authors.affiliation: Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Sereno
authors.affiliation: Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Biodiversity Institute, Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Larry D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Biodiversity Institute, Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Burnham
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Enpu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: 1111 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Yinan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D007834:Lasers; D010163:Paleontology / Q000379:methods*