The influence of reactive atmosphere processing on the crystallization kinetics of GaF₃/InF₃-based glasses

Abstract

Gallium-indium fluoride based glasses are known as one of the lowest phonon energy hosts for Pr-ions. However, to date the fabrication of low background loss fibres have been proved difficult. In the present investigation, GaF3/InF3 based glasses are prepared under the controlled reactive atmosphere of SF6, HF and N2 gas mixture. The devitrification characteristics for different reactive-atmosphere (RA) treatment have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry. From the isothermal data, the time-temperature-transformation curves have been constructed and on this basis, the improvement in glass stability is discussed. Measured fibre loss results from glasses prepared under RAP are also discussed in the context of impurities present in the melt