Reversible Optical Change of Amorphous Red Phosphorus in Reduced Phosphate Glasses

Amorphous red phosphorus formed in reduced phosphate glasses was found to show a photodarkening effect by illuminating the glasses with light approximately equivalent to its absorption edge; the optical transmission edge shifts toward longer wavelengths on illumination, and then a distinct deepening of the reddish color is observable visually. The photo-darkened specimen recovers its original transmission when it is heated at 300° to 350°C. This darkening-restoring process is confirmed to be reversible by repeated illumination and heating. Transmission measurements over a range of elevated temperatures suggest that this optical characteristic of red phosphorus is unique to its amorphous state.