Improvement of radiation resistance by introducing CeO2 in Yb-doped silicate glasses

The influences of Ce on the radiation resistance of Yb-doped aluminosilicate glasses were investigated. The Ce ions in silicate glasses can effectively trap holes and free electrons due to their multivalency, consequently suppressing the radiation-induced absorption band. This could greatly improve the radiation resistance without obvious impact on the absorption properties of Yb-doped glasses. However, the fluorescence intensity and lifetime of Yb3+ ions were significantly decreased by high concentration Ce codoping. The mechanisms involved in these effects have also been discussed. The experiment results indicate that Yb-codoped glasses with a moderate Ce-concentration can be used as active medias for radiation-resistant materials in harsh radiation environments. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.