Heavy metal phosphate nanophases in silica: influence of radiolysis probed via f-electron state properties

We have assessed the feasibility of carrying out time- and wavelength-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements of radiation damage in glassy silica. The consequences of alpha decay of Es-253 in LaPO4 nanophases embedded in silica were probed based on excitation of 5f states of Cm3+, Bk3+, and Es3+ ions. The recorded emission spectra and luminescence decays showed that alpha decay of Es-253 ejected Bk-249 decay daughter ions into the surrounding silica and created radiation damage within the LaPO4 nanophases. This conclusion is consistent with predictions of an ion transport code commonly used to model ion implantation. Luminescence from the 6D7/2 state of Cm3+was used as an internal standard. Ion–ion energy transfer dominated the dynamics of the observed emitting 5f states and strongly influenced the intensity of observed spectra. In appropriate sample materials, laser-induced fluorescence provides a powerful method for fundamental investigation of alpha-induced radiation damage in silica.