Fluoride glasses in the ZrF4BaF2YF3AlF3 quaternary system

The quaternary system ZrF₄BaF₂YF₃AlF₃ has been investigated in order to determine the nature of the vitreous domain. Addition of aluminium fluoride to the basic ZrF₄BaF₂YF₃ ternary system results in an increase in the size of the vitreous area and a lowering of the crystallization rate.The change of density, refractive index and T_G with respect to composition has been studied. It has been shown that the substitution of Zr⁴⁺/Al³⁺ involves a change in the cationic distribution rather than in the anionic packing.