We have assessed the feasibility of carrying out time- and wavelength-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements of radiation damage in glassy silica. The consequences of alpha decay of Es-253 in LaPO 4 nanophases embedded in silica were probed based on excitation of 5f states of Cm 3+ , Bk 3+ , and Es 3+ ions. The recorded emission spectra and luminescence decays showed that alpha decay of Es-253 ejected Bk-249 decay daughter ions into the surrounding silica and created radiation damage within the LaPO 4 nanophases. This conclusion is consistent with predictions of an ion transport code commonly used to model ion implantation. Luminescence from the 6 D 7/2 state of Cm 3+ was used as an internal standard. Ion–ion energy transfer dominated the dynamics of the observed emitting 5f states and strongly influenced the intensity of observed spectra. In appropriate sample materials, laser-induced fluorescence provides a powerful method for fundamental investigation of alpha-induced radiation damage in silica.