Structure and properties of water free Nd 2O 3 doped low silica calcium aluminate glasses

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 247; no. 1; pp. 196 - 202
• Main Authors: Sampaio, J.A, Catunda, T, Gandra, F.C.G, Gama, S, Bento, A.C, Miranda, L.C.M, Baesso, M.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1999
• Subjects: D210; O110; H120; S160
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3093(99)00062-9

In this work, Nd 2O 3 doped low silica calcium aluminate glasses have been melted under vacuum conditions. Measurements of thermal diffusivity, density, optical absorption coefficient, glass transformation temperature ( T g), crystallisation temperature ( T x), dilatometric softening temperature ( T d) and Vickers microhardness have been carried out. The results provided information about the sample's structure and showed that for Nd 2O 3 concentration up to 5 wt% there was no devitrification of the samples. The decrease in hardness and thermal diffusivity was about 8%, while the density increased about 8% with the increasing concentration of Nd 2O 3. The thermomechanical properties combined with their quantum efficiency indicate that this material is a candidate for an active medium for solid-state lasers.