Effect of Oxide Substitutions on the Optical and Physical Properties of ZBLAN Glass

Oxide, as ZrO sub 2, was quantitatively substituted into a ZBLAN (53ZrF sub 4-20 BaF sub 2-3.5LaF sub 3-3.5 AlF sub 3-20NaF) glass in the range 0-5000 ppm. The crystallization behaviour of the substituted glasses has been investigated by DSC and a number of their optical and physical properties, including optical transmission, light scattering, refractive index, thermal expansion and microhardness have been evaluated. Optimal levels of substitution have been determined on the basis of these parameters.