Localized states of silicon dioxide, sodium and lead silicate glasses

Luminescent methods were used for the study. In silica the electronic excitations are similar to those in quartz, but the excitons are localized. The self-trapped excitons in both materials are similar; however in glass some of them are strongly quenched. The same quenching is common for localized states luminescence in sodium and lead silicate glass. The non-zero luminescence polarization in these glasses is a strong proof for the presence of localized states in the fundamental absorption range of complex silicates.