Heavy metal oxide glasses: preparation and physical properties

Heavy metal oxide glasses have been investigated in the following systems: TeO2–PbO–PbCl2, TeO2–ZnO, Ga2O3–PbO–Bi2O3 glasses with low OH concentration were prepared. The influence of the processing conditions on the color, the structure and the optical properties of the prepared samples was also assessed. Mixtures of starting oxides were melted in various reactive conditions using Pt, Au, SiO2 and alumina crucibles. A set of physical measurements including chemical and X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet and infrared absorption edges and thermo-physical properties, were carried out. Samples were doped with Nd, Pr and Er rare earth ions. Low temperature photoluminescence spectra show the expected rare earth transitions and the broad band emission of the base glass.