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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 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]

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.

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]

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]

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]