Photoionization of Ce3+ in Glass

Abstract

The photoionization of Ce3+ is investigated by determining the optical absorption changes and the electron spin resonance changes that occur when cerium-containing silicate glasses are illuminated with ultraviolet light. The results are: (1) The room temperature quantum yield of photoelectrons from Ce3+ is 0.1. (2) The optical absorption and the electron spin resonance bands caused by trapped photoelectrons are found. (3) A Ce3+ ion from which a fourth electron has been removed by photoionization is different from a Ce4+ ion.