Photostimulated optical effects and some related features of CuO mixed Li2O–Nb2O5–ZrO2–SiO2 glass ceramics

We have synthesized Li2O–Nb2O5–ZrO2–SiO2 glasses and subsequently crystallized them with different CuO contents (0–0.3 mol% in the steps of 0.05) as nucleating agents and characterized them by XRD, SEM and DSC. We have also studied IR, Raman, ESR, optical absorption photoluminescence and dielectric properties to explore the influence of copper valance states and their coordination with oxygen on structural and optoelectronic aspects of the samples. These studies have indicated that there is a possibility for the copper ions to exist in Cu+ and Cu3+ states (in addition to Cu2+ state) in these glass ceramics and participate in the glass network forming. Finally, we have undertaken photoinduced second harmonic generation studies (after the samples were dc field treated at elevated temperatures) with 10 ns Er:glass laser (of wavelength 1540 nm with power densities up to 1.5 GW/cm2) to examine the suitability of these materials for optically operated devices. The analysis of the results of non-linear optical studies has shown that 0.2 mol% of CuO is the optimal concentration for getting the highest values of second order susceptibility coefficients.