ESR study of temperature dependence of colour centers in γ-ray irradiated fluoride glasses

γ-ray irradiated ZBLAN fluoride glasses at liquid-nitrogen temperature and room temperature have been studied by ESR. Irradiation-induced point defects are characterized as F−2, F0, Zr3+, central line and one type of center assigned as a hole trapped on an oxygen impurity. Isochronal annealing experiments show that these centers are unstable at high temperature. γ-ray irradiation at room temperature produces a prominent absorption band in the ultraviolet region.