Thermal diffusivity of a SNAB glass system doped with CdS nanocrystals and Nd3+

► The Thermal Lens technique is proposed for the determination of the Thermal Diffusivity of glasses doped with semiconductor nanocrystals (CdS) and Rare Earth ions (Nd3+). ► The results showed the technique is sensitive to the doping level, and decreased expressively with CdS concentration. ► The effect is discussed in terms of heat transport by phonons as well as interface and surface scattering.