Rayleigh scattering in ZrF4-based glasses

Light scattering in a 51.53 ZrF4 - 20.47 BaF2 - 5.27 LaF3 - 3.24 AlF3 - 19.49 LiF glass was investigated for the first time both as a function of wavelength and of angular distribution. The measured total scatter loss exhibits a characteristic Ray-leigh λ-4 dependence. The total scattering attenuation coefficient has been reduced to that of the best synthetic silica, and nearly reaches the theoretically predicted minimum.