The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass

This study investigates the structural and optical responses of silica glass to femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation followed by high-energy electron (2.5 MeV, 4.9 GGy) irradiation. Using optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we analyzed retardance, phase shifts, nanograting periodicity, and...

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Main Authors: Nadezhda Shchedrina, Roqya Allaoui, Matilde Sosa, Gergely Nemeth, Ferenc Borondics, Nadege Ollier, Matthieu Lancry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1909
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author Nadezhda Shchedrina
Roqya Allaoui
Matilde Sosa
Gergely Nemeth
Ferenc Borondics
Nadege Ollier
Matthieu Lancry
author_facet Nadezhda Shchedrina
Roqya Allaoui
Matilde Sosa
Gergely Nemeth
Ferenc Borondics
Nadege Ollier
Matthieu Lancry
author_sort Nadezhda Shchedrina
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the structural and optical responses of silica glass to femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation followed by high-energy electron (2.5 MeV, 4.9 GGy) irradiation. Using optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we analyzed retardance, phase shifts, nanograting periodicity, and Raman D<sub>2</sub> band intensity, which is an indicator of local glass densification. S-SNOM and nano-FTIR measurements further revealed changes in the Si–O–Si vibrational bands, indicating partial relaxation of the densified nanolayers under electron irradiation. Our findings reveal significant optical modifications due to subsequent electron irradiation, including reduced retardance and phase values, which are in agreement with the relaxation of the local densification. SEM analysis confirmed the preservation of nanogratings’ morphology including their periodicity. Apart from revealing fundamental aspects related to glass densification within nanogratings, this study also underscores the potential of combined fs-laser and electron irradiation techniques in understanding silica glass behavior under high radiation conditions, which is crucial for applications in harsh environments.
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series Nanomaterials
spelling doaj-art-0d7002ff465f4c5dac5a4dafcac96d9e2025-08-20T02:38:45ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-11-011423190910.3390/nano14231909The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica GlassNadezhda Shchedrina0Roqya Allaoui1Matilde Sosa2Gergely Nemeth3Ferenc Borondics4Nadege Ollier5Matthieu Lancry6Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, Rue du Doyen Georges Poitou, 91405 Orsay, FranceInstitut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, Rue du Doyen Georges Poitou, 91405 Orsay, FranceInstitut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, Rue du Doyen Georges Poitou, 91405 Orsay, FranceSMIS Beamline, SOLEIL Synchrotron, L’Orme des Merisiers, RD128, 91190 Saint Aubin, FranceSMIS Beamline, SOLEIL Synchrotron, L’Orme des Merisiers, RD128, 91190 Saint Aubin, FranceLaboratoire des Solides Irradiés, École Polytechnique-CEA-CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau, FranceInstitut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay, Université Paris-Saclay, Rue du Doyen Georges Poitou, 91405 Orsay, FranceThis study investigates the structural and optical responses of silica glass to femtosecond (fs) laser irradiation followed by high-energy electron (2.5 MeV, 4.9 GGy) irradiation. Using optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, we analyzed retardance, phase shifts, nanograting periodicity, and Raman D<sub>2</sub> band intensity, which is an indicator of local glass densification. S-SNOM and nano-FTIR measurements further revealed changes in the Si–O–Si vibrational bands, indicating partial relaxation of the densified nanolayers under electron irradiation. Our findings reveal significant optical modifications due to subsequent electron irradiation, including reduced retardance and phase values, which are in agreement with the relaxation of the local densification. SEM analysis confirmed the preservation of nanogratings’ morphology including their periodicity. Apart from revealing fundamental aspects related to glass densification within nanogratings, this study also underscores the potential of combined fs-laser and electron irradiation techniques in understanding silica glass behavior under high radiation conditions, which is crucial for applications in harsh environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1909femtosecond laserelectron irradiationsilica glassnanogratingsbirefringencetype II modifications
spellingShingle Nadezhda Shchedrina
Roqya Allaoui
Matilde Sosa
Gergely Nemeth
Ferenc Borondics
Nadege Ollier
Matthieu Lancry
The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
Nanomaterials
femtosecond laser
electron irradiation
silica glass
nanogratings
birefringence
type II modifications
title The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
title_full The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
title_fullStr The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
title_short The Effect of Combining Femtosecond Laser and Electron Irradiation on Silica Glass
title_sort effect of combining femtosecond laser and electron irradiation on silica glass
topic femtosecond laser
electron irradiation
silica glass
nanogratings
birefringence
type II modifications
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/23/1909
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