INTRODUCTION OF COLOR-CENTERS IN FLUORINATED SOL-GEL QUARTZ GLASSES BY RADIATION THERMAL-TREATMENT

Data are presented to show how fluorination influences the optical qua lity and radiation resistance of quartz glasses fabricated by the sol gel method. It is found that under the action of gamma radiation, main ly E' centers form in the glasses. The incorporation of fluorine in th e xerogel lattice promotes the removal of hydroxyl groups and enhances the radiation optical resistance of the synthesized samples in the re d. It is observed that the radiation resistance of the glass is enhanc ed in the ultraviolet by using irradiation-annealing cycles and this i s attributed to a decrease in the concentration of radiation-induced E ' centers. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.