Effect of γ Radiation on High-Water-Content-Glasses

Na2O−3SiOz‐glasses containing up to ∼11 wt% water were prepared under high‐pressure, hydrothermal conditions. The samples were exposed to γ radiation of 5 × 107 rad. Optical and ESR measurements were made before and after exposure to radiation and it was found that the induced absorption in the visible region decreased drastically with increasing H2O concentration. The induced ESR signal‐integrated intensity also decreased with increasing water content. After irradiation an increase was observed in the fundamental OH absorption bands in the ir region of the spectra of the water‐containing specimens.