Luminescence of fluorine doped silica glass

Abstract The role of fluorine doping on silica properties was studied by luminescence methods. Non-doped samples of the same preparation technology possess an absorption band at 7.6 eV on the level of 2 cm−1. A trace of this band in the fluorine-doped sample is on the level of 0.1 cm−1. In both samples 7.6 eV photons as well as ionizing irradiation (X-ray, electron beam) excite photoluminescence of so-called oxygen deficient centers with a blue (2.7 eV) and a UV band (4.4 eV). The luminescence of the fluorine doped sample increases with dose many times from the initial low level for the same excitation. Also, thermally stimulated luminescence appears after irradiation. The energetic yield u…