TRANSPARENT GLASS-CERAMICS FOR 1300-NM AMPLIFIER APPLICATIONS

The properties of an oxyfluoride glass ceramic that possesses high tra nsparency after ceramming are described. Approximately 25 vol % of thi s material is comprised of cubic, fluoride nanocrystals and the remain der is a predominantly oxide glass. When doped with Pr+3, the fluoresc ence lifetime at 1300 nm is longer than in a fluorozirconate glass, su ggesting that a significant fraction of the rare-earth dopant is prefe rentially partitioned into the fluoride crystal phase. This material h as the added advantage of being compatible with ambient air processing . (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.