Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties of Lead Gallate Glasses

Abstract

The PbO–Ga₂O₃ glass-forming system with a lead oxide content of more than 50 mol.% was studied. The glass structure was found to be significantly affected by the introduction of lead oxide. Vibrational spectroscopy results showed that PbO significantly reduces the number of Ga–O–Ga bridging bonds, leading to a weakening of the glass network and the dominance of PbO₄ pyramids in it. Structural changes lead to a significant change in the physicochemical properties of glasses. The spectral and optical properties of the PbO–Ga₂O₃ glass system are discussed in detail. The glasses have a wide transparency window (from 0.5 to 7.1 μm), a high refractive index (approximately 2.2), and a small Abbe number (approximately 12). The developed materials show promise for optics and photonics applications in devices operating in the infrared range of the spectrum.