Selected IR transmitting glasses with emphasis on heavy metal oxide glasses will be investigated for their sensitization to photoinduced effects. The improvement of material sensitivity will be achieved by the presence of modifiers in the form of colour centres (polyvalent metal ions – single or in combination), (nano)phase separation or metal nanoparticle inclusions. The heavy metal oxide glasses PbO-Ga2O3-Bi2O3 and the tellurite glasses PbCl2-TeO2-Sb2O3 and ZnO-TeO2 are selected for study, additionally for comparison the nano/micro-demixed glasses will be used. The higher sensitivity to be achieved implies a higher response in ablation efficiency, photoexpansion, photofluidity or photobleaching and photodarkening. The proposed project will increase the knowledge of possible ways to increase material sensitivity by changing the optical, physical and thermal properties of the glasses. An integral part of the project will be the preparation of photonic structures (i.e. microlenses) and their validation as passive optical elements for the infrared region.
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