Thermal analyzes of phosphate glasses doped with Yb3+ and ZnTe nanocrystals

This work studies the thermal properties of a glass matrix called PZABP doped with ZnTe and co-doped with Yb3+ with nominal composition 60P2O5, 15ZnO, 5Al2O3, 10BaO, and 10 PbO (mol%). The presence of ZnTe results in the formation of nanocrystals which are evidenced by optical absorption, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering. Thermal lens and Volumetric Heat Capacity techniques were used to investigate thermal diffusivity (D), thermal conductivity (K) and optical path variation with temperature (ds/dT). The outcomes indicate high values for the thermal diffusivity and a relatively small thermal conductivity, i.e., around 2.6×10−3 cm2/s and 3.4×10−3 W cm−1 K−1, respectively. On the other hand, a low ds/dT value, 1.0×10−6 K−1, was obtained as required for an active laser medium. Moreover, it has been observed that the matrix allows high concentration of dopants without compromising its thermal properties. As a result, PZABP glasses may be pointed out as a promising material to applications in high power photonics devices.