Excitation states and defect formation in high purity silica glass under gamma-ray or excimer-laser irradiation

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The purpose of this study is to clarify the structural and optical properties of point defects in a-SiO_2, and their formation mechanisms under ionizing radiations or laser photons. The emphasis is placed on (i) the characterization of preexisting diamagnetic defects and radiation-induced paramagnetic defects, and (ii) the establishment of the link between the diamagnetic defects and radiation-induced paramagnetic defects. The outline of the present study is as follows.1.Defects and optical absorption bands associated with excess oxygen are identified. Two forms of excess oxygen are identified: peroxy linkage and interstitial oxygen. An optical absorption band at 3.8 eV is associated with peroxy linkages.2.Characterization of new paramagnetic defects induced by 7.9-eV photons is performed. With the help of computer simulation analyses of the ESR spectra, the paramagnetic defects are identified to be ClO_x radicals (x=2,3).3.Time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements are carried out on a series of silicas under 7.9-eV pulsed laser excitation. Correlations of several PL bands with point defects are studied.4.Paramagnetic defects induced by 6.4-eV excimer laser are studied on a series of silicas. Effects of the oxygen stoichiometry and hydroxyl content on the defect species and their concentrations are observed. It is shown that precursor transformation dominates in laser-induced defect formation.5.Photon-energy dependence of the creation of paramagnetic defects is investigated by means of ESR and uv-vuv optical absorption measurements, using 6.4-eV and 7.9-eV photons, and gamma rays as irradiation sources. Correlations between the preexisting diamagnetic defects and laser-induced paramagnetic defects are investigated.6.The effect of hydrogen on the photogeneration of E' centers is studied by means of ESR and uv-vuv absorption measurements. It is found that the creation of E' centers from neutral oxygen vacancies is enhanced in the presence of hydrogen.