Effects of the ionizing irradiation of γ-rays, X-rays, and UV-rays on the optical properties of Ag-contained/Ag-free photo-thermo-refractive glass

Abstract

To simulate the effects of ionizing irradiation on photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass in a cosmic environment, the optical properties changes under ionizing irradiation (γ-, X- and UV-ray) were investigated on PTR-glass with and without Ag doped (named as PTR-S and PTR-F, respectively) samples. Thermoluminescence (TL), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy analysis, Gaussian peak fitting, and continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (CW-EPR) were used to determine the species of the irradiation-induced color centers. The radiation resistance properties of the Ag-species on the PTR-S glass were evaluated by comparing the defect center concentrations in the irradiated PTR-S and PTR-F glasses. The results showed that absorption in PTR-F and PTR-S glass increased significantly with increasing γ-irradiation dose, which was related to HC1, HC2, E′, L, ETC defect centers and Ag-species, and the formation of HC1, HC2, E’, and L-centers was reduced by the doping of Ag into the PTR-S glass matrix. Compared with the γ-irradiation, X-irradiation showed a similar effect. In comparison, UV-irradiation induced fewer defect centers and smaller Ag (NPs). This discrepancy could be caused by variations in photon energies.