Effect of Y2O3 on properties and structure of Nd-doped P2O5-Al2O3-ZnO glasses

Effect of the substitution of Y 2 O 3 for Al 2 O 3 in the phosphate glass, Nd 3+ : P 2 O 5 -Al 2 O 3 -ZnO, on glass structure and properties are investigated. With Al 2 O 3 replaced by Y 2 O 3 , the decrease in coefficient of thermal expansion and Young's Modulus, as well as the increase in fracture toughness, lead to a significant improvement in thermal shock resistance. According to the NMR and Raman spectra, changes in the coordination of Al 3+ from P-O-Al (6) bonds to P-O-Al (4) bonds and glass structure occur, resulting in inflection points in properties. Moreover, the fluorescence properties are measured and analyzed. The relationship between glass structure and physical (ρ, T g , α ), mechanical ( E, H V , K IC ), and optical properties ( n, σ ems , Δλ eff , λ P ) are explained.