Magneto-optical properties of cerium-doped phosphate glass

Phosphate glass with a high transmission level in the visible and near-IR spectral regions doped with a high cerium concentration (up to 25 mol%) was synthesized and experimentally investigated in terms of applicability as a material for magneto-optical devices. Glass transition temperature was 590 °C. Glass refractive index varied between 1.5831 and 1.5884 depending on cerium content. The structure of the glass obtained was mostly metaphosphate with admixture of ultraphosphate complexes. It is shown that the maximum values of Verdet constant (11 rad/T/m at 1064 nm) are reached with increasing cerium concentration up to 25 mol%. The analysis proves the viability of the studied glass to create optical elements using the Faraday effect.