Effect of gamma ray irradiation on optical properties of Nd doped phosphate glass

The effect of gamma irradiation in the dose range of 5–500 kGy on the optical absorption and luminescence spectra of Nd doped phosphate glass is reported. The spectral absorption of this glass before and after gamma irradiation was measured in the spectral range 300–900 nm at room temperature using spectrophotometer and synchrotron beamline. Drastic increase in absorption was noted below 600 nm after gamma irradiation, which was dependent on the dose of irradiation. Additional absorption (AA) spectra of irradiated sample shows generation of two absorption bands below 600 nm, which finally became one very broad band peak with increased intensity at irradiation dose of 500 kGy. AA spectra also show the presence of negative peaks at the location of absorption peaks of Nd3+. Photoluminescence of Nd doped phosphate glass shows two strong bands which decreases to a very low intensity with a red shift after gamma irradiation. These results indicate that irradiation produces different kinds of defects in the glass material along with conversion of valence state of Nd3+ to Nd2+. This change was found irreversible at room temperature.