A new transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramic with improved luminescence

A new type of glass ceramic containing BaF2 nano-crystals was prepared by melt quenching. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to study its thermal behaviors and structural characteristics. Based on Judd-Ofelt theory, the spectroscopic properties of the I-4(13)/(2) -> I-4(15/2) transition of Er3+ in glass ceramic were evaluated. Notably, it is found that the fluorescence lifetime in the present system is much longer than that in most other glasses and glass ceramics. A comparative study on luminescence performance suggests that the obtained glass ceramic is a promising material for Er3+ doped fiber amplifiers. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.