Er-doped glass-ceramics

Abstract

This study was focused on investigation of new glass-system with the following composition: (100- x-0.25)(75NaPO₃ – 25CaF₂) – xFe₂O₃ – 0.25Er₂O₃ with x = 0, 1.5, 2.5, 5, and 10 in mol%. The new system is contrasting with the previous studies due to the integration of Fe₂O₃ into the composition. The aim of the study was to improve the thermal stability of the glass while ensuring the preservation of the nucleation and growth mechanisms. Glasses were prepared using a standard melting process and characterized, after which the glass-ceramics were made by controlled heat treatment of the as-prepared glasses. The results demonstrate improved thermal stability, but along with loss in fluorine content during melting, which prevented CaF₂-crystals formation in glass-ceramics. The use of quartz crucible induces a change in fluorine content and, as a consequence, the nucleation and growth mechanisms.