Gamma-ray interaction with copper-doped bismuth–borate glasses

Ultraviolet (UV)–visible, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscoies together with thermal properties of Bi2O3–B2O3–CuO glasses were measured before and after gamma irradiation. It was shown that the UV–visible spectrum of the undoped Cu-free glass reveals before irradiation intense charge transfer UV bands due to the interference of trace iron impurities and Bi3+ while the visible spectrum shows no absorption bands. The CuO-doped glass reveals a broad visible band characteristic for Cu2+ ions. The absorption spectra of all the glasses show resistance to successive gamma irradiation. This shielding behavior is related to the high atomic mass of the metal ions (Bi3+). IR and Raman measurements reveal absorption bands which are characteristic for various groups of borate network and [BiO6] octahedra.