Effect of X-ray irradiation on the optical absorption of СdSe1−xTex nanocrystals embedded in borosilicate glass

► Absorption edge of glass-embedded CdSe1−x Tex nanocrystals is blue shifted under X-ray irradiation. ► Radiation-induced bleaching bands appear at the position of HOMO-LUMO transitions. ► The reason is charge transfer between the nanocrystals and radiation-induced centres in the glass. ► Contrary to photoionization, this is a long-lived process (over 2000 h).