Transient absorption induced by a picosecond electron pulse in the fused silica windows of an optical cell

The transient absorption induced by picosecond pulse radiolysis in the windows of a fused silica optical cell is investigated with pump probe techniques in the UV and the visible range. After excitation with an electron pulse of 7 MeV and an effective duration of around 10 ps the absorbance changes during relaxation are recorded up to nanoseconds with a supercontinuum and a single wavelength probe at 263 nm. The complex spectral signatures and kinetics of the empty cell are set into relation with the transient absorption of water radiolysis. Special care is taken to assure equal irradiation conditions for the comparative measurements over the large spectral range. The results reveal clearly that the transient absorption induced in the fused silica cell is not negligible. The transient signals due to the cell should be considered in picosecond pulse radiolysis of solutions in order to avoid important errors on the time dependent yield of transient species, particularly of those absorbing in the UV. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.