Effect of additive ions on the optical density and stability of the color centers induced by X-ray irradiation in soda-lime silicate glass

Abstract

To apply radiation-induced coloration of glasses as a reversible glass-coloring technique, we studied the influence of various additive ions incorporated into a soda-lime silicate glass on the optical density and stability of the color induced by X-ray irradiation. Absorption spectra before and after irradiation are discussed in the comparison with those of the undoped soda-lime silicate glass. Additive ions were incorporated as metal oxides, namely TiO 2, V 2O 5, Fe 2O 3, ZnO, Ga 2O 3, GeO 2, ZrO 2, Nb 2O 3, MoO 3, Ag 2O, In 2O 3, SnO, SnO 2, CeO 2, Eu 2O 3, Ta 2O 5, WO 3 and Bi 2O 3. Among them, TiO 2, GeO 2, Nb 2O 3, MoO 3, Ag 2O, In 2O 3, Eu 2O 3, Ta 2O 5, WO 3 and Bi 2O 3 have a large effect on optical density. The optical densities in the visible region for glasses doped with these oxides were much stronger than for undoped soda-lime silicate glass. On the other hand, incorporation of Fe 2O 3, SnO and CeO 2 reduced the optical density. Over longer periods the coloration of the undoped glass was one of the most stable while those of the Fe 2O 3, SnO and CeO 2-doped glasses soon faded.