SOL-GEL GLASSES - SOME RECENT TRENDS

The basic experimental steps in the preparation of sol-gel glass as de veloped in recent times, and their relevance have been discussed takin g high purity silica glass as an example. Current developments in sol- gel derived ultra-low expansion glasses, rare earth doped laser glasse s, semiconductor-doped non-linear glasses, gradient index lenses, micr ooptics and organic molecule-doped (mainly dyes) glasses for sensor an d other applications have been discussed in brief.