Micro-Raman studies on 50 keV electron irradiated silicate glass

A potassium–lime-silicate glass was irradiated with a 50 keV electron beam. The impact of irradiation conditions on the glass structure (beam diameter, current, and irradiation time) was studied by Micro-Raman spectroscopy. For irradiation time less than the incubation time (around 360 s), structural evolutions are attributed to a glass densification. Irradiations longer than the incubation period led to a precipitation of supposed calcium enriched phase and formation of a more depolymerized silicate phase. A non-homogeneous irradiated glass structure was observed with the existence of an area (along the electron beam border) composed by a mixture of a concentrated Ca phase diluted into the amorphous silicate phase.