Gamma-ray interaction with copper-doped bismuth-borate glasses

Ultraviolet (UV)-visible, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscoies together with thermal properties of Bi2O3-B2O3-CUO glasses were measured before and after gamma irradiation. It was shown that the UV-visible spectrum of the undoped Cu-free glass reveals before irradiation intense charge transfer UV bands due to the interference of trace iron impurities and Bi3+ while the visible spectrum shows no absorption bands. The CuO-doped glass reveals a broad visible band characteristic for Cu2+ ions. The absorption spectra of all the glasses show resistance to successive gamma irradiation. This shielding behavior is related to the high atomic mass of the metal ions (Bi3+). IR and Raman measurements reveal absorption bands which are characteristic for various groups of borate network and [BiO6] octahedra. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.