Process analysis in the preparation of fluorozirconate glasses

Different preparation processes for fluorozirconate glasses (ZBLAN) have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Glasses have been prepared with different NH4 F.HF amount (20–10–5–0% weight) or with NF 3 0 as fluorinating agent. The presence of NF 3 in the fluorination step of the preparation is useful to improve the glass quality in terms of oxide and hydroxil content: electron spin resonance (ESR) on these glasses (γ-irradiated, 20 Mrad) does not detect any signal.