Photochromism enhancement in reduced tridymite BaMgSiO₄ by Fe-doping

Abstract

We have investigated the influence of 38 kinds of metal ions on photochromism in BaMgSiO₄ (BMS). We have found that the doped Fe ions are the most effective to enhance the photochromism. The Fe-doped BMS shows great sensitivity to blue light (wavelength λ = 405 nm) and turns bright pink. The colored Fe-doped BMS is bleached by green light (λ = 532 nm) irradiation. The coloration-bleaching process is repeatable. The color density of the photochromism depends on the wavelength of irradiation lights. We think that the photochromism enhancement is due to the electron deeper traps formed by the doped Fe ions.