Faraday effect in Tb3+-containing borate, fluoride and fluorophosphate glasses

Abstract The wavelength dispersion in the Faraday effect has been examined in fluoroaluminate glass samples containing various concentrations of Tb 3+ ions, as well as fluoride glass sample in the AlF 3 –ZrF 4 system, fluorophosphate glass sample and borate glass sample containing 5 cation% (cat%) Tb 3+ ions. The Verdet constants ( V c ) of fluoride glasses in the AlF 3 -based system increased as the Tb 3+ ion concentration increased. The magnitude of the V c of the glasses, containing 5 cat% Tb 3+ ions, follows the order, V c (borate glass)> V c (fluoride glasses)> V c (fluorophosphate glass). The effective transition wavelength, λ t , of glasses containing Tb 3+ ions has been calculated based on the Van Vleck and Hebb theory. The factors determining the Verdet constant of glasses are discussed.