Optical Properties and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of MnO2-Doped Fluorozirconate Glasses

Abstract

We have studied luminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of manganese-activated fluorozirconate glasses. In ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–NaF (ZBLAN) glasses, manganese gives a green luminescence band peaking at 545 nm. Partial chlorine substitution for fluorine in the glass leads to a shift and broadening of the luminescence band. Complete BaCl₂ substitution for BaF₂ in ZBLAN〈Cl〉 fluoride chloride glass increases the peak emission wavelength to 610 nm. The observed distinctions between the EPR spectra of the Mn-doped ZBLAN and ZBLAN〈Cl〉 glasses correlate with those between their luminescence spectra. The effect of chlorine substitution for fluorine on the luminescence and EPR spectra of the fluorozirconate glass is tentatively attributed to a change in the oxidation state of the manganese ions.