Study of the optical properties of glasses containing rare earths and metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

The goal of this project is to study the energy transfer process in glassy materials and glass-ceramic containing metallic nanoparticles and rare earth ions. The understanding of the fundamental processes involving these phenomena could be the key to obtaining optical light amplification devices with higher efficiency. The glasses will be prepared by melting-quenching methodology. A systematic study will be conducted varying either the concentration of metallic nanoparticles such as rare earth ions. The metals will be added as oxides or halides, while the rare earth will be oxides only. The nanoparticles are prepared by controlled thermal treatment at temperatures to be established experimentally. Thermal, structural and optical properties of glasses will be studied systematically by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared, electronic spectroscopy in the UV-Vis region, luminescence, M-lines and transmission electron microscopy.