Blocking of alkaline migration under ionizing irradiation in Cr-doped oxide glasses

Effects of ionizing irradiation on different chromium-doped silicate glass compositions have been studied using EPR and Raman spectroscopies. We observe first reduction processes of Cr3+ and Cr6+ ions correlated with the dose integrated inside the glass. With the doping content in theses glasses, we observe also by EPR spectroscopy a complete blocking of defects production under ionizing radiation for samples doped with more than 1 mol% of Cr2O3. This result is explained by dynamical reversible trapping of the excitons produced during irradiation. Associated to the disappearance of defects produced by irradiation, a decrease of the glass structural changes are also detected by Raman spectroscopy at integrated doses higher than 109 Gy.