A structural study of the sol-gel process by optical fluorescence and decay time spectroscopy

The optical spectroscopy of the europium ion has been used as a probe of the structure of sol-gel derived silica glasses. The fluorescence and optical decay times of the Eu 3+ ion were monitored during the different stages of the sol-gel process and changes in these optical properties were interpreted in terms of the constantly changing environment of the Eu 3+ ion.