Effects of WO3 substitution on crystallization behavior and laser patterning in Gd2O3–MoO3–B2O3 glasses

Abstract The glasses with the compositions of 22.5Gd 2 O 3 – x WO 3 –(47.5 − x )MoO 3 –30B 2 O 3 ( x = 0–40) were prepared by a conventional melt quenching method, and the crystallization behavior was examined from X-ray diffraction analyses and Raman scattering spectrum measurements. It was found that the substitution of WO 3 for MoO 3 has a strong effect on the crystalline phase forming during heat treatment. In the case of the glass with x = 10, the formation of both ferroelastic β′-Gd 2 (W x Mo 1 − x O 4 ) 3 and paraelastic α-Gd 2 (W x Mo 1 − x O 4 ) 3 crystalline phases was confirmed, and it was suggested that the substitution of WO 3 enhances the transformation of β′-Gd 2 (W x Mo 1 − x O 4 ) 3 crystals to α-Gd 2 (W x Mo 1 − x O 4 ) 3 at high temperatures. It was confirmed from polarized optical microscope observations and micro-Raman scattering spectra that β′-Gd 2 (W x Mo 1 − x O 4 ) 3 crystal lines having periodic refractive index changes were patterned by irradiations of continuous wave Yb:YVO 4 fiber laser irradiations (wavelength:1080 nm, power: 1.95–2.0 W, scanning speed: 6–9 μm/s).