Modified optical properties of glasses nanostructured by ZnS particles

ZnS nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) synthesized by melting in oxide glasses have been used to modify the refractive index together with emission and absorption properties of these glasses. Measurements of UV and visible absorption reveal the appearance of a characteristic absorption in the presence of ZnS NPs in these glasses. The size of the NPs estimated from the absorption spectra is found about 2 nm. Characterization of the samples by photoluminescence, with excitation wavelength of 325 nm, show an emission band centered around 620 nm. The maximum refractive index variation between the undoped matrix and the doped glass measured at 632.8 nm is about 0.1.

► Experimental glasses were prepared by melting a glass host with 0-0.6 ZnS in mol%. ► The particle size of ZnS doped glasses was about 2 nm. ► ZnS NPs present stable red emission at about 620 nm. ► The refractive index difference between the undoped and ZnS doped glass is about 0.1.