Abstract
Optical transmission and reflection measurements for crystals of potassium tetrachlorozincate (KZC) doped with Mn
2+
or Ni
2+
in different concentrations and irradiated with different γ-doses have been carried out along the three crystallographic axes. The results were analyzed to determine the absorption coefficient (α), type of optical transition and the optical energy gap (E
g
). Different absorption bands along the three axes have been observed. Doping with Mn
2+
or Ni
2+
affected the intensity and position of these bands. Irradiation by γ either created or inhibited some of these bands. The nature of the transition involved was found to be the indirect allowed one. Doping with Mn
2+
or Ni
2+
up to 0.41 wt% and irradiating with γ-doses up to 150 kGy did not change the type of transition. The optical energy gap decreased considerably after doping and irradiating KZC.