Single alpha-Al2O3 crystals and three types of commercial silica glass
es were irradiated with electrons, gamma-rays and neutrons in order to
examine the effect of the irradiation conditions on the change of the
optical properties. The transmission coefficients in the wavelength r
ange 200-800 nm were measured after irradiation up to a dose of 8.0 MG
y at a mean dose rate from 2.8 Gy/s to 1 kGy/s. The transmission of al
pha-Al2O3 after electron and gamma-ray irradiation decreases mostly in
the UV region due to the creation of color centers in alpha-Al2O3 on
pre-irradiation defects. There are also presented data on change of tr
ansmission of silica glasses with different content of OH groups after
and during irradiation.