Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Cathodoluminescence and its temperature-dose behaviour of different modifications of SiO2 are presented. The detected luminescence bands are attributed to three optical active luminescence centers: the twofold coordinated silicon center (=Si:), the non-bridging oxygen hole center (NBOHC) and the self-trapped exciton (STE). The experiments are correlated with infrared absorption measurements. Existing structural models are discussed with reference to our results.