Effect of gamma radiation on the properties of bismuth-containing glasses and glass ceramics

Abstract

Glasses and glass ceramic materials with the compositions (in moles) 2Bi2O3; 3SiO2 and 2Bi2O3; 3GeO2 were irradiated with γ-rays at doses 105 and 106 rad. The pre- and post-irradiation absorption spectra, microhardness and refractive indices of the glass and glass ceramic samples were studied. It was shown that gamma radiation gives rise to ionization of the bismuth ions and crystallization of the glasses. The bismuth-silicate glass ceramic was less affected less by γ-radiation than the bismuth-germanate ceramic.