The effects of oxide impurities on the optical properties of fluoride glasses

Abstract The effects of oxide impurities on the vibrational spectra of ZrF 4 -based ternary glasses have been investigated. Samples have been prepared in the ZrF 4 BaF 2 ThF 4 and ZrF 4 BaF 2 LaF 3 systems, to which selected amounts of ZrO 2 , BaO and La 2 O 3 were added, up to a O:F atomic ratio ∼1.2%. A pronounced effect was observed on the IR absorption edge of bulk samples. Polarized Raman spectra have also been recorded. It appears that the oxygen atoms tend to occupy bridging positions in the zirconium fluoride chain-like glass skeleton.