Influence of P2O5 concentration on structural, thermal and optical behavior of Pr-activated fluoroindate glass

Results of X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and optical emission together with lifetime measurements of phosphate fluoroindate glasses activated by Pr3+ ions are reported. Structural, thermal and optical behavior of multicomponent oxyfluoride glasses has been analyzed as a function of P2O5 concentration. Short glass-forming region exists for InF3-based system with P2O5 additives. For low (4–12%) P2O5 concentration, thermally stable and transparent non-crystalline oxyfluoride samples based on InF3 with relatively high ΔT factors were prepared, which can be promising for fiber drawing. For higher (16%) P2O5 concentrations, several diffraction lines due to the InOF polycrystalline phase were identified. Absorption edge and luminescence bands for Pr3+ ions in fluoroindate glasses are shifted in the direction of the lower frequency region with increasing of P2O5 content. Luminescence from both 3P0 and 1D2 excited states of Pr3+ ions was registered. The 1D2 luminescence lifetime close to about 35 μs is independent on P2O5 concentration.