DEFECT FORMATION AND RADIATION RESPONSE IN PHOSPHATE GLASSES: THE INFLUENCE OF LANTHANIDE AND OTHER EFFECTIVE DOPANTS

Lanthanide-doped phosphate glasses show promising applications due to their improved mechanical, optical, and radiation shielding properties. This review examines the effects of lanthanide and other dopants on defect formation and radiation response, emphasising advancements in material performance. Lanthanide ions have unique electronic structures that affect the types and distributions of defects within the glass matrix. This significantly alters the properties, such as luminescence, mechanical stability, and radiation resistance. A comprehensive understanding of how the defects relate to the dopant concentration and glass structure is crucial for optimising these materials for applications in radiation shielding, photonic devices, and medicine. This study compiles essential insights on defective behaviour and its impact on glass performance under radiation, creating a framework for developing advanced phosphate glass materials with adjustable properties for high-stakes environments.