Preliminary analyses of radiophotoluminescence centers in a recently developed Ag-doped alkali-phosphate glass (SAPANS)

Abstract

The mechanism behind radiophotoluminescence (RPL) emission in Ag-doped alkali-phosphate glass remains unclear. To contribute to resolving this issue, the authors measured and analyzed the temporal change of electron spin/paramagnetic resonance (ESR) spectrum of a recently developed, weather-resistant RPL glass, named “SAPANS,” after irradiation with X-rays. As a result, a continuous gradual increase in Ag2+-derived signals was observed even at four weeks post-irradiation, which corresponded well with the time build-up pattern of the RPL of SAPANS. In contrast, the signals derived from phosphorous-oxygen-hole centers (POHC) rapidly decreased over a few days. The peaks of Ag0 and Ag2+ were not successfully separated from the ESR spectra because of the possible overlap of unidentified peaks, which implies a complex mechanism of RPL-center formation in Ag-doped alkali-phosphate glass that requires further investigation.