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The shielding and spectroscopic properties of Pr + 3 and Pr3+/Ho3+-codoped tellurite glass were investigated. The intensity parameters (Ω2 = 3.24-, Ω4 = 1.64-, Ω6 = 1.10 × 10−20 cm2) as well as the radiative lifetimes of 3F4 + 5S2 and 5I6 excited states of Ho3+ ions were equal to 301 μs and 3.0 μs, respectively. The former value appears to be much higher than that obtained from the lifetime measurement, indicating the presence of various energy transfer processes. The NIR spectrum of Pr3+/Ho3+-co-doped tellurite glass is dominated by strong Ho3+: 5I6 emission at around 1200 nm, being the result of the energy transfer from Pr3+ to Ho3+ ions. The shielding effectiveness of the prepared glasses showed good performance against high-energy photons. These findings suggest that the prepared glasses could be used in laser technology such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment procedures and as shielding for radiation protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the optical energy gap, visible and near-IR emission of halide phosphate glasses with a composition of 40P2O5-30ZnO-20LiCl-10BaF2 in mol% doped with 3.5 × 104 ppm Pr2O3, referred to as PZLBPr, were synthesized. The UV-VIS-NIR and spectroscopic properties of these glasses were also predicted. The current glasses had broadband emission photoluminescence covering a wavelength range of 1250 to 1700 nm when excited at 455 nm. These bands for near-infrared emission luminescence relate to the transitions 1G4 → 3H5, 1D2 → 1G4, and 3H4 → 3F3, 3F4 in the optical telecommunication window. The significant PL emission wideband was caused by the radiative transition from Pr3+: 1D2 to 1G4. At 445 nm excitation, these glasses exhibited emission bands that corresponded to blue/reddish orange spectral ranges in visible ranges. The prepared glass has a high lasing quality factor (Ω4/Ω6 = 0.9), high optical energy (4.72 eV), and quantum efficiency = 87.3% with FWHM = 156 nm of transition emission from the 1D2 → 1G4 level. As a result, broadband near infrared optical amplifiers can be fabricated from the prepared glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of glass, consisting of B2O3, Bi2O3, TeO2, and TiO2 (BBTT) containing rare earth oxide RE2O3, where RE is La, Ce, Sm, Er, and Yb, was prepared. We investigated the structural, optical, and gamma attenuation properties of the resultant glass. The optical energy bands, the linear refractive indices, the molar refractions, the metallization criteria, and the optical basicity were all determined for the prepared glass. Furthermore, physical parameters such as the density, the molar volume, the oxygen molar volume, and the oxygen packing density of the prepared glass, were computed. Both the values of density and optical energy of the prepared glass increased in the order of La2O3, Ce2O3, Sm2O3, Er2O3, and then Yb2O3. In addition, the glass doped with Yb2O3 had the lowest refractive index, electronic polarizability, and optical basicity values compared with the other prepared glass. The structures of the prepared glass were investigated by the deconvolution of infrared spectroscopy, which determined that TeO4, TeO3, BO4, BO3, BiO6, and TiO4 units had formed. Furthermore, the structural changes in glass are related to the ratio of the intensity of TeO4/TeO3, depending on the type of rare earth. It is also clarified that the resultant glass samples are good attenuators against low-energy radiation, especially those that modified by Yb2O3, which exhibited superior shielding efficiency at energies of 622, 1170, and 1330 keV. The optical and gamma ray spectroscopy results of the prepared glass show that it is a good candidate for nonlinear optical fibers, laser solid material, and optical shielding protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive study of the batch‐to‐melt (BtM) conversion process was carried out on a single high‐boron alkaline earth aluminosilicate glass composition, which is relevant to manufacturing high‐performance fiberglass for high‐end electronic applications. In the study, we used several techniques to trace the BtM process from room temperature up to 1400°C, namely isotherm batch heat‐treatment, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), hot‐stage microscopy (HSM), high‐temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR). In the BtM process, the intermediate aluminum borate phase (Al4B2O9) between 1000 and 1100°C was identified. The formation of Al4B2O9 is explained in conjunction with the dihydroxylation of kaolin. For the first time, the potential use of the FT‐IR method in studying the BtM process was demonstrated, including the dissolution of sand above 1100°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melt-quenching approach was used to prepare phosphate–titanite glasses with the composition P2O5-Na2O-CaO-8KF-CaCl2-xTiO2 (where x = 2, 4, and 6) in a mol %. The optical, physical, and shielding properties, such as the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), effective electron density (Neff), and effective atomic number (Zeff), of the glasses were investigated at energies ranging between 15 and 200 keV. The shielding parameters were investigated using recently developed software (MIKE). The optical properties were examined using devices such as UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy over wavelengths ranging between 190 and 2500 nm. The reported results showed that increasing the concentration of TiO2 led to an increase in the density from 2.657 to 2.682 g/cm3 and an increase in the OPD from 66.055 to 67.262 mol/L, while the molar volume (VM) and oxygen molar volume (VO) decreased from 39.21 to 39.101 cm3/mol and from 15.139 to 14.867 cm3/mol, respectively. The energy gap was found to decrease from 3.403 to 3.279 eV when the TiO2 concentration increased. Furthermore, as the surface plasmon resonance of TiO2 increases, so does its third-order susceptibility, non-linear refractive indices, linear attenuation, and mass attenuation. The shielding performance evaluation indicates that the most suitable energy range is between 15 and 50 keV. Based on the results, the PCKNT3 glass sample exhibits the highest attenuation performance of all of the samples tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new glass with a composition of 40P2O5-30ZnO-20LiCl-10BaF2 (in mol%), doped with 3.5Nd2O3-3.5Yb2O3, was fabricated by the quenching melt technique. The luminescence (PL) and gamma spectroscopy of the glass were investigated systematically. The spectroscopic parameters of the prepared glass, such as the optical energy gap, Judd–Ofelt parameters Ωk (where k = 2, 4 and 6), lifetimes and branching ratio of the Nd3+/Yb3+ level, were evaluated. Moreover, the shielding parameters, such as the linear and mass attenuation coefficients, mean free path and half-value layer, were evaluated. The prepared glass had a spectroscopic quality factor (Ω4/Ω6) of 0.84, which is about three-times larger than that of the most standard laser host, Nd3+:YAG. The energy of the 2P1/2 (Nd3+) level (~23,250 cm−1) was twice the energy of the Yb3+ transition (~10,290 cm−1). The value of the emission cross section ( σ e m (λ) ) of Nd3+:4F3/2→4I9/2 and Yb3+:2F5/2→2F7/2 were 2.23 × 10−24 cm2 and 2.88 × 10−24 cm2, respectively. The fabricated glass had a high emission cross section and low mean free path parameters, which makes the fabricated glass a potential candidate for multifunctional applications, such as laser emissions for medical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the X-ray and gamma attenuation characteristics and optical properties of a synthesized tellurite–phosphate–sodium oxide glass system with a composition of (85 − x)TeO2–10P2O5–xNa2O mol% (where x = 15, 20, and 25) were evaluated. The glass systems we re fabricated by our research group using quenching melt fabrication. The shielding parameters of as-synthesized systems, such as the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), and effective electron density (Neff) in a wide energy range between 15 keV and 15 MeV, were estimated using well-known PHY-X/PSD software and recently developed MIKE software. Herein, the optical parameters of prepared glasses, such as molar volume (VM), oxygen molar volume (VO), oxygen packing density (OPD), molar polarizability ( α m ), molar refractivity (Rm), reflection loss (RL), and metallization (M), were estimated using MIKE software. Furthermore, the shielding performance of the prepared glasses was compared with that of commonly used standard glass shielding materials. The results show that the incorporation of sodium oxide into the matrix TeO2/P2O5 with an optimum concentration can yield a glass system with good shielding performance as well as good optical and physical properties, especially at low photon energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesized glass system with a composition of (80-x) TeO2-10P2O5-10Nb2O5-xKCl mol% (where x = 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25) was successfully fabricated. The density (ρ) and molar volume (Vm) have been calculated. The investigated glasses were characterized using different analysis methods (differential thermal analysis (DTA) and UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy). The radiation shielding effectiveness of the synthesized glass system was evaluated using different shielding parameters, such as mass and linear attenuation coefficients (MAC, LAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron number (Neff). The results showed that with the increasing potassium chloride (KCl) concentration and decreasing tellurium oxide (TeO2) concentration, the density, refractive index, Urbach energy (Eu), and glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased, while the optical energy gap (Eopt) and thermal stability increased. As the KCl concentration increases, the values of MAC, LAC, and Zeff increase in the following order: TPNK5 % > TPNK10 % > TPNK15 % > TPNK20 % > TPNK25 %. Additionally, the shielding effectiveness of TPNK glass system showed good performance compared with some standard materials. The synthesized glass with a minimum KCl content has both good shielding effectiveness and good optical properties, in addition to reasonable thermal stability, which makes it suitable for shielding and optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important performance characteristics of masonry units is their high thermal insulation. There are many different ways to improve this parameter, however the most popular methods in case of ceramic masonry units are: addition of pore-creating raw materials and application of proper hole pattern. This study was an attempt to improve thermal insulation of ceramics by applying thermal insulation additives. Perlite dust created as a subgrain from expansion of perlite rock was used. Perlite subgrain is not very popular among consumers, that’s why it’s subjected to granulation to obtain coarse grain. The authors presented concept of direct application of perlite dust for the production of building ceramics with improved thermal insulation. Fineness of this additive is asset for molding of ceramic materials from plastic masses. Based on the results it was found that about 70% perlite by volume can be added to obtain material with a coefficient of heat conductivity of 0,37 W/mK. Higher content of this additive in ceramic mass causes deterioration of its rheological properties. Mass loses its plasticity, it tears up and formed green bodies are susceptible to deformation. During sintering perlite takes an active part in compaction process. Higher sintering dynamics is caused by: high content of alkali oxides in perlite and glass nature of perlite. Alkali oxides generate creation of liquid phase which intensifies mass compaction processes. Active role of perlite in sintering process causes good connection of its grains with clay groundwork which is important factor for mechanical parameters of ceramic materials. It was also noted that addition of perlite above 40% by volume of mass effectively neutralized negative effect of efflorescence in ceramic materials.

Shielding glass materials doped with heavy metal oxides show an improvement in the effectiveness of the materials used in radiation shielding. In this work, the photon shielding parameters of six tellurite glass systems doped with several metal oxides namely, 70TeO2-10P2O5- 10ZnO- 5.0PbF2- 0.0024Er2O3- 5.0X (where X represents different doped metail oxides namely, Nb2O5, TiO2, WO3, PbO, Bi2O3, and CdO) in a broad energy spectrum, ranging from 0.015 MeV to 15 MeV, were evaluated. The shielding parameters were calculated using the online software Phy-X/PSD. The highest linear and mass attenuation coefficients recorded were obtaibed from the samples containing bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), and the lowest half-value layer and mean free path were recorded among the other samples. Furthermore, the shielding effectiveness of tellurite glass systems was compared with commercial shielding materials (RS-369, RS-253 G18, chromite, ferrite, magnetite, and barite). The optical parameters viz, dispersion energy, single-oscillator energy, molar refraction, electronic polarizability, non-linear refractive indices, n2, and third-order susceptibility were measured and reported at a different wavelength. Bi2O3 has a strong effect on enhancing the optical and shielding properties. The outcome of this study suggests the potential of using the proposed glass samples as radiation-shielding materials for a broad range of imaging and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase the emission intensity of Pr SP 3+ sp ions, Yb SP 3+ sp ions appear as an efficient sensitizer [[13]]. Due to a non-exponential character of the decay data, we have determined the experimental lifetime as being equal to the effective lifetime defined as HT ht Graph (4) Graph: Fig. [[36]]) HT ht Graph (5)where I i SB Pr-Yb sb and I i SB Pr sb are the effective lifetimes with and without Yb SP 3+ sp -coping, respectively, but for the same concentration of Pr SP 3+ sp ions. Emission spectra Emission spectra of Ln-doped samples TPr and TPrYb were measured in the same conditions allowing one to compare their relative intensities; additionally, in order to demonstrate the effect of the Pr SP 3+ sp ion concentration ( I N i SB Pr sb ; see Table 1) on the emission spectra, the PL signal of both samples (in arbitrary units) has been divided by I N i SB Pr sb . [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: Metal oxide glass composites have attracted huge interest as promising shielding materials to replace toxic, heavy, and costly conventional shielding materials. OBJECTIVE: In this work, we evaluate shielding effectiveness of four novel tellurite-based glasses samples doped with oxide metals (namely, A, B, C, and D, which are 75TeO2- 10P2O5- 10ZnO- 5PbF2- 0.24Er2O3 ; 70TeO2- 10P2O5- 10ZnO- 5PbF2 -5MgO- 0.24Er2O3; 70TeO2- 10P2O5- 10ZnO- 5PbF2- 5BaO- 0.24Er2O3 ; and 70TeO2- 10P2O5-10ZnO- 5PbF2- 5SrO; respectively) by assessing them through a wide range of ionizing radiation energies (0.015–15 MeV). METHODS: The radiation-shielding parameters including mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path, (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), effective electron number (Neff), and the transmission factor are computed in the selected range of ionizing radiation energies. Furthermore, the proposed samples were compared with the most common shielding glass materials. The optical parameters viz oscillator, dispersion energy, nonlinear refractive indices, molar, and electronic polarizability of these transparent glasses are reported at different wavelengths. RESULTS: The results show that the proposed samples have considerable effectiveness as transparent shielding glass materials at various ionizing radiation energies. They can be employed for effective radiation-protection outcomes. Sample C demonstrated slightly better shielding properties than the other samples with differences of 1.33%, 4.6%, and 4.2% for samples A, B, and D, respectively. A similar trend is observed regarding the mass attenuation coefficients. Nevertheless, sample B shows better optical properties than the other prepared glass samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the proposed novel glass samples have good shielding properties and optical characteristics, which can pave the way for their utilization as transparent radiation-shielding materials in medical and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of fluorotellurite glasses based on 70TeO2-5MxOy-10P²O5-10ZnO-5PbF2 in mol%, where MxOy = (WO3, Nb2O5) doped with 2400 ppm of Er2O3 have been prepared by the conventional melt quenching method. The influence of modifiers on thermal and optical properties of glasses has been analyzed. Thermal characteristics of glasses like the glass transition temperature Tg, the temperature for the crystallization onset Tx, the maximum crystallization temperature Tc, and the thermal stability parameter were determined by the DSC method. The ellipsometric data have provided Sellmeier-type dispersion relations of the refractive index of the investigated glasses. The optical parameters are used to calculate the molar refractivity, molar polarizability, oxide ion polarizability, molar cation polarizability, and a number of polarizable atoms per unit volume for every glass composition in order to interpret the refractive index of these glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped fluorotellurite glasses with the basic molar composition 75%TeO2-10%P2O5-10%ZnO-5%PbF2, modified by replacing 5% TeO2 by a metal oxide, namely WO3 or Nb2O5. The absorption edge of the glasses studied has been described within the Urbach approach, while the absorption and photoluminescence spectra have been analyzed in terms of the standard Judd-Ofelt theory, along with the photoluminescence decay of the 4I13/2 and 4S3/2 levels of the Er3+ ion. The absorption and emission spectra of the 4I15/2 ↔ 4I13/2 infrared transition have been analyzed within the McCumber theory to yield the peak emission cross-section and figure of merit for the amplifier gain. It appears that the fluorotellurite glass containing WO3 as a modifier is characterized by the largest figure of merit, indicating this matrix as a promising new host for doping with Er3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped fluorotellurite glasses with the basic molar composition 75%TeO2-10%P2O5-10%ZnO-5%PbF2, modified by replacing 5% TeO2 by a metal oxide, namely WO3 or Nb2O5. The absorption edge of the glasses studied has been described within the Urbach approach, while the absorption and photoluminescence spectra have been analyzed in terms of the standard Judd-Ofelt theory, along with the photoluminescence decay of the 4I13/2 and 4S3/2 levels of the Er3+ ion. The absorption and emission spectra of the 4I15/2 ↔ 4I13/2 infrared transition have been analyzed within the McCumber theory to yield the peak emission cross-section and figure of merit for the amplifier gain. It appears that the fluorotellurite glass containing WO3 as a modifier is characterized by the largest figure of merit, indicating this matrix as a promising new host for doping with Er3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem with the waste from electric and electronic equipment (WEEE), consisting of about 80% of television sets and computers containing a cathode ray tube (CRT) have just begun to deal with. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are the video display components of televisions and computer monitors (EPA, 1995). Arising problem related with recovery and recycling of CRT glass stimulates examinations aimed at making cullet-based ceramic materials of reinforced mechanical strength. Glasses as cone and neck contain principally different lead contents another dangerous elements instead panel glass has other heavy metals (Ba, Sr, etc.) that forbid their recycling in the glass industry for the production of containers, domestic glassware and glass fiber. As it is well known concrete is an excellent material for immobilization of these metals, what was the reason to undertake this research. The use of CRT (Cathode Ray tube) waste glasses in concrete has attracted a lot of interest worldwide due to the increased disposal costs and environmental concerns. Because of silica large quantities CRT glass in the theory is a pozzolanic in nature, thus it can be used as a sand replacement in light concrete. The research was performed with use of concrete mortars. As a reference concrete mortar a mix of cement, sand, expanded clay aggregate and water was used. The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of additives e.g. CRT glass cullet as an aggregate, and fluidized fly ash on concrete properties. Based on obtained results both CRT glass cullet and fluidize fly ash improved compressive and flexural strength in respect of standard concrete mortar without these additives. The use of CRT glass as a sand replacement caused the increased of compressive strength of concrete mortar of about 16% and its flexural strength of about 14%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel glass samples with the composition 75TeO2–5Ta2O5–15Nb2O5–5x (where x = ZnO, MgO, TiO2, or Na2O) in mole percent were prepared. The physical, optical, and gamma radiation shielding properties of the glass samples were studied over a wide energy spectrum ranging between 0.015 and 20 MeV. The glasses' UV–vis spectra were utilized to evaluate the optical energy gap and refractive index. Glass samples had a refractive index ranging from 2.2005 to 2.0967. The results showed that the sample doped with zinc oxide (ZnO) recorded the highest density (ρglass), molar polarizability (αm), molar refraction (Rm), refractive index (n), and third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ3) and the lowest optical energy gap (Eopt) among the samples under investigation. When comparing the current glass system with various standard glass shielding materials, the prepared glass system showed superior shielding performance at energies ranging between 40 and 85 keV. These findings indicate that the prepared glass systems can be used in diagnostic X-rays, especially in dental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A neodymium (Nd3+) doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing SrF2, LaF3 nanocrystals has been presented. Transparent glass ceramics was obtained by heat treating the glass from the SiO2--Al2O3--ZnO--Na2O--SrF2 and SiO2--Al2O3--ZnF2--Na2O--LaF3 system at the first crystallization temperature. Cerammization of glass was studied by DTA/DSC, XRD. It has been found that nanocrystallization of SrF2 and LaF3 strongly depends on the ratio between the components and the amount of SrF2 and LaF3, respectively. The optical studies of the glasses comprised spectrophotometry (reflectance and transmittance) and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The spectrophotometric measurements yield a number of narrow absorption bands which correspond to characteristic transitions between the ground- and consecutive excited states of rare earth ions. Growth luminescence at typical neodymium wavelength was observed under diode laser (808 nm) excitation in glass ceramics with SrF2 in comparison to parent glass. The optimization of cerammization process allowed to fabricate the oxyfluoride glass ceramics optical fibre with strong emission originated from Nd3+ ions. The influence of the cerammization process on the changes in the refractive index of glass was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support commercialization of the MgO-Al2O3-B2O-SiO2-based low-dielectric glass fibers, crystallization characteristics of the relevant glasses was investigated under various heat-treatment conditions. The study focused on the effects of iron on the related thermal properties and crystallization kinetics. Both air-cooled and nucleation-treated samples were characterized by using the differential thermal analysis/differential scanning calorimeter method between room temperature and 1200°C. A collected set of properties covers glass transition temperature ( Tg), maximum crystallization temperature ( Tp), specific heat (Δ C p), enthalpy of crystallization (Δ Hcryst), and thermal stability (Δ T= Tp- Tg). Using the Kinssiger method, the activation energy of crystallization was determined. Crystalline phases in the samples having various thermal histories were determined using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and/or in situ high-temperature XRD method. Selective scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis provided evidence that crystal density in the glass is affected by the iron concentration. Glass network structures, for air-cooled and heat-treated samples, were examined using a midinfrared spectroscopic method. Combining all of the results from our study, iron in glass is believed to function as a nucleation agent enhancing crystal population density in the melt without altering a primary phase field. By comparing the XRD data of the glasses in two forms (bulk versus powder), the following conclusions can be reached. The low-dielectric glass melt in commercial operation should be resistant to crystallization above 1100°C. Microscopic amorphous phase separation, possibly a borate-enriched phase separating from the silicate-enriched continuous phase can occur only if the melt is held at temperatures below 1100°C, that is, below the glass immiscibility temperature. The study concludes that neither crystallization nor amorphous phase separation will be expected for drawing fibers between 1200°C and 1300°C in a commercial operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of nanocrystallization process in oxyfluoride glasses Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-LaF3-NaF doped with rare earth (RE) ions on their thermal and optical properties is studied. The thermal characteristics of oxyfluoride glasses (OG) with Tm3+, Yb3+ are presented. The effect of the glass crystallization on thermal stability of the glass and crystallizing phases formed upon heat treatment is investigated by DTA/DSC and XRD methods. It has been found that the effect of nanocrystallization of LaF3 and incorporation of RE elements in formed upon heat treatment nanocrystallites depends on the kind of rare earth elements and is determined by factors of crystallochemical nature and requires adequate proportions between the components forming glass structure. The ellipsometric investigations are performed by M2000 spectroscopic ellipsometer. These measurements allowed us to determine dispersion of refractive indices in the range 190-1700 nm and depolarization coefficients. The influence of nanocrystallization process on refractive indices is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the work was to characterize and synthesize tellurite glasses from the TeO2-WO3-PbO-La2O3 system. The effect of lanthanum oxide content on the tendency to the crystallization of glassy matrix was investigated. Differential thermal analysis DTA/DSC, XRD measurement were considered in terms of the lanthanum oxide influence. Presented work is a continuation of investigations of tellurite glasses with use of the Faraday effect method. The Faraday effect is a rotation of polarization of linearly polarized light in an isotropic transparent material under the magnetic field. It has been stated that the addition of lanthanum to tellurite glass from the TeO2- WO3-PbO system hinders the crystallization process of glass which is very important during fiber drawing. Tellurite glasses have physical and chemical properties that make this class of materials a potential candidate in different applications, such as electrochemical and optoelectronic devices. In the field of photonics these glasses may be used as precursors for infrared fibers or windows due to the possibility of changing their phonon energies and therefore the domain of wavelength transparency as a function of compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents new glass-ceramics as a material for up-conversion luminescence. Formation of the LaF3 nanocrystals have been obtained as a low phonon host for rare earth active ions in oxide glassy matrix. The thermal conditions of LaF3 nanocrystallization in the glass from the SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-LaF3 system have been presented. Transmittance and luminescence properties as a function of heat treatment have been investigated. The effect of incoming of Er3+ in LaF3 crystals has been shown on the luminescence properties. AFM results have confirmed the growth of nano-scale crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tests on glass texture were made in order to establish the size of porous space in modified glasses Al2O3 from the system Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 after extraction of dissolved boron phase during chemical treatment. A difference was observed in the size and volume of mezo- and micropores in 0.6% and 0.3% Al2O3 glasses depending on temperature of heating. Accounting for the difference of glass structure attempts were made to use them for the selective sorption of hydrocarbons dissolved in water. It follows from the obtained results that differences in hydrocarbon removal are as much as tens of percent. The efficiency of removal is conditioned by the type of glass and grain size of glass applied for sorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to investigate the spectroscopic properties of Pr3+ ions of various concentrations embedded in a new matrix, namely a tellurite–tungstate glass with the molar composition 60%TeO2–27%WO3–10%PbO–3%La2O3 (TWPLa). The optical absorption edge of the TWPLa matrix has been described within the Urbach approach, while the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the Pr3+-doped TWPLa glasses have been analyzed in terms of the standard Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory along with the luminescence decay of the 3P0 and 1D2 levels of the Pr3+ ion. A significant influence of the Pr3+ ion concentration on the photoluminescence intensity as well as on decrease of the lifetimes of both levels has been explained by a non-radiative energy transfer between the ions through different cross-relaxation channels. The spectroscopic studies have been completed with ellipsometric measurements providing the dispersion relation of the refractive index of the investigated glasses that has been taken into account in the J–O analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]