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Quaternary Gd2O3 NPs doped zinc borotellurite (TeO2-B2O3-ZnO-Gd2O3 NPs) glass system were fabricated using conventional melt-quenching method with composition {[(TeO2)70(B2O3)30]70(ZnO)30}1-x(Gd2O3 NPs)x (x = 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mol%). The physical, structural and elastic properties of the glass samples were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to confirm the amorphousity of the samples. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated the presence of TeO3, TeO4, BO3 and BO4 structural units within the glass matrix. The presence of Gd2O3 NPs was proven from Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The density and molar volume showed anomalous behavior. The elastic properties of the glass system were characterized by using pulse-echo technique. The longitudinal and shear ultrasonic velocities vary from 3883 to 4042 m/s and 2265 to 2282 m/s, respectively. The observed change in the ultrasonic velocities imply that there are substantial change in the structure of the vitreous network. The experimental elastic moduli (longitudinal modulus (L), shear modulus (G), bulk modulus (K) and Young's modulus (E)) increases from 68.77 to 79.45 GPa, 23.40 to 26.68 GPa, 37.56 to 48.25 GPa and 58.13 to 66.55 GPa, respectively. The increase in elastic moduli of the glass system indicates that the strength and rigidity of the glass increase. The experimental elastic moduli were correlated and compared with the theoretically calculated elastic moduli using Makishima-Mackenzie and Bond Compression model.

In this work, linear and nonlinear optical parameters of zinc borotellurite glasses doped with Gd3+ have been studied for all-optical switching applications. A series of gadolinium zinc borotellurite glasses were synthesized by using conventional melt quenching technique. Optical absorption spectra were recorded by UV–vis spectroscopy. From the optical absorption spectra, the cut-off wavelength, optical band gap, Urbach energy and refractive index have been determined and are related to the structural changes in the glass systems. The nonlinear optical properties of Gd3+ doped glasses are investigated by using Z-scan technique. The values of nonlinear refractive index and absorption coefficient with closed and opened apertures of the Z-scan, respectively, were determined for proper utilization in nonlinear optical devices. Keywords: Gadolinium, Rare earth, Borotellurite glass, Optical band gap, Refractive index, Nonlinear optical properties

Recently, the rapid growth in photonic field has increased the demand for nonlinear materials with higher performance and greater efficiency. Hence, a thorough investigation on the nonlinear optical properties of materials are essential and need to be done for possible future application of the material in photonic field as optical limiting or optical switching devices. Thus, through this research, the crucial parameters in nonlinear optical properties of zinc borotellurite glasses doped with lanthanum oxide and lanthanum nanoparticles were studied and investigated extensively. The two series of glasses were successfully fabricated via conventional melt-quenching technique. The fabricated samples were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as Z-scan technique in order to study the structural and nonlinear optical properties of the glass systems. The existence of various amount of TeO4, TeO3, BO4 and BO3 in all the prepared glasses are proven through the observable absorption bands in the FTIR spectra. Inconsistent trends recorded for both nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index might be associated with the simultaneous creation of bridging as well as nonbridging oxygen which eventually affect the values for both parameters. The figure of merit of the prepared glasses with values ranging from 0.055 to 0.267 which are smaller than one hints that the glass materials possess potential to be employed as all optical devices. 0.03 M fraction of lanthanum nanoparticles doped zinc borotellurite with FOM value larger than 1 has proven the ability of the respective glass to be employed as efficient all optical switching devices. The determined nonlinear optical parameters of the glasses should be able to provide sufficient and useful information on the fabricated glass samples for future application in photonic field.