Physical Properties of Novel Lead-Bismuthate Glasses with Large Transmitting Windows

Novel lead-bismuthate glasses with low OH concentration have been obtained in the Bi2O3-PbO-SrO system. The role of the different components in the glass formation has been explored from the density, refractive index measurements, indicating that the physical properties are mainly agected by Bi2O3 and PbO contents. The densities and refractive indices of these glasses are in the ranges of 7.639-7.699 g/cm^3 and 2.47-2.94, respectively. A wide transmitting window from visible to infrared (IR) regions and good thermal stability for some compositions of these g/asses have been observed, which make them appealing candidates for different optical applications suc has upconverting phosphors, new laser materials, optical waveguides and crystal-free fibre drawing.