NIR laser-induced local crystallization of Dy³⁺-containing glasses in bismuth zinc borate system

Abstract

Glass formation region, crystallization behavior, and optical functions of crystalline phases created by focused laser irradiation were investigated for Dy³⁺-containing bismuth zinc borate glasses. The thermal stability and heat source Dy³⁺ ion consentration were successfully improved by the addition of ~5% of ZnO into highly Dy₂O₃-containing glasses. For the glasses with optimum compositions NIR laser beam was irradiated on the surface and the crystallization behavior was observed by optical microscope.