The effect of UV irradiation and thermal treatments on structural properties of silver-containing photo-thermo-refractive glasses: Studies by Raman spectroscopy

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 98; p. 109422
• Main Authors: Sidorov, A.I., Nikonorov, N.V., Ignatiev, A.I., Nemilov, S.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-12-2019
• Subjects: Glass structure; Photo-thermo-refractive glass; Raman spectroscopy; Thermal treatment; UV irradiation; Photo-thermo-refractive glass; Glass structure; UV irradiation; Raman spectroscopy; Thermal treatment
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2019.109422

Structural changes in silver-containing photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) silicate glasses during photo-thermo-crystallization process were studied by methods of Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra were measured in frequency ranges 300-700 cm−1 and 900-1300 cm−1 after UV irradiation and subsequent thermal treatments at T = 360 OC and 510 OC. Raman spectra of silver-containing PTR glass were compared with Raman spectra of glasses without Ag, and glasses without Ag, Ce and Sb. It was shown that mentioned external treatments result in the sequence of structural changes, which may be interpreted as breaks and restoration of siloxane rings, appearance of new rings, appearance and disappearance of non-bridging oxygen centers. These processes can influence on the features of photo-thermo-crystallization processes in PTR glasses.
•Raman spectra of silver-containing photo-thermo-refractive glass.•Effect of UV irradiation on Raman spectra on photo-thermo-refractive glass structure.•Effect of thermal treatments on Raman spectra on photo-thermo-refractive glass structure.•Analysis of structural changes in photo-thermo-refractive glass during external treatments.