Thermal properties of Ga2S3-based glass and their consideration during fiber drawing

Thermal properties of gallium-lanthanum sulphide and oxysulphide glasses re levant to fiber applications are evaluated. Time-temperature-transformation diagrams of gallium-lanthanum sulphide and oxysulphide glasses are present ed based on the results of X-ray diffraction analysis and microstructural o bservations. Thermal stability of these glasses for fiber drawing is discus sed along with the viscosity data of supercooled liquid samples. Favourable fabrication conditions for gallium-lanthanum sulphide glass fibers are pro posed to minimize microcrystal formation during heating. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.