Glass Ceramic Fibers Research Articles

Glass Ceramic Fibers Containing PbS Quantum Dots for Fluorescent Temperature Sensing

Glass ceramics (GCs) containing PbS quantum dots (QDs) are prepared for temperature sensing. Broadband emissions are detected in the GCs when PbS QDs are precipitated from the glasses, and emissions centers are modulated from 1250 nm to 1960 nm via heat treatments. The emission centers of GCs exhibit blue-shifts when environment temperatures increase from room temperature to 210 °C. Importantly, the shift values of emission centers increase linearly with the test temperature, which is beneficial for applications in temperature sensing. A temperature sensor based on PbS QDs GC is heat-treated at 500 °C for 10 h, possesses the highest sensitivity of 0.378 nm/°C, and exhibits excellent stability and repeatability at high temperatures (up to 210 °C). Moreover, GC fibers are fabricated by using the GCs as the fiber core. The sensitivity of the temperature-sensing sensor of the GC fibers is also demonstrated and the sensitivity is as high as 0.558 nm/°C. The designed PbS QDs GCs provide a significant materials base for the manufacturing of fluorescent temperature sensors and the GC fibers offer significant opportunities for temperature detection in complex, integrated and compact devices.

Optical modulation in nonlinear-optical glass-ceramic fiber driven by Pockels effect

Optical modulation in nonlinear-optical glass-ceramic fiber driven by Pockels effect

Insulation Material Selection and Curtain Mechanism Design for Rubber Injection Molds

In this study, the selection of thermal insulation materials and the design of a mechanical insulation curtain for rubber injection molds were discussed. First, experimental tests were performed on a rubber mold to determine the most suitable insulation materials, which were mica plate, resin bonded glass fiber plate and ceramic fiber paper. Cost and thermal performances were also analyzed for these materials. According to experimental observations ceramic paper is considered the most suitable product for curtain material. Furthermore, a new design is proposed which has a radiation curtain mechanism. It was developed for rubber presses without requiring special materials for each mold. This mechanism presents an innovative design for preventing heat transfer in this type of manufacturing process.

Integrated multi-mode glass ceramic fiber for high-resolution temperature sensing

Integrated multi-mode glass ceramic fiber for high-resolution temperature sensing

Silicate glass-ceramic fibers with nonlinear optical crystals: Evaluation of propagation loss and comparison to optical materials

Optical glass fibers can propagate light signals, while their control depends on nonlinear optical crystals. In this study, we fabricated nonlinear optical glass-ceramic (GC) fibers in which the polar fresnoite phase was crystallized based on perfect surface crystallization (PSC) in the SrO–TiO2–SiO2 system. GC fibers free from voids were obtained from precursor glass fibers with a diameter of ∼100 μm by controlling PSC. The propagation loss of a GC fiber was evaluated to be ∼0.37 dB/cm, which is comparable to that of the LiNbO3 single-crystal optical waveguide.

Low-Temperature Fluoro-Borosilicate Glass for Controllable Nano-Crystallization in Glass Ceramic Fibers.

A fluorosilicate (FS) nano-crystallized glass ceramic (NGC) is one of the most commonly used gain materials for applications in optical devices due to its excellent thermal stability as well as high-efficiency luminescence. However, FS glass can hardly be used to prepare NGC fibers due to its high preparation temperature. Here, a series of low-temperature fluoro-borosilicate (FBS) glasses were designed for the fabrication of active NGC fibers. By modulating B2O3, the preparation temperature of FBS glass was reduced to 1050 °C, and the crystallization in FBS NGCs was more controllable than in FS NGC. The crystallization of the impure phase was inhibited, and single-phase rare earth (RE)-fluoride nanocrystals were controllably precipitated in the FBS NGCs. The 40Si-20B FBS NGC not only exhibited a higher optical transmittance, but the luminescence efficiency was also much higher than traditional FS NGCs. More importantly, NGC fibers were successfully fabricated by using the designed FBS glass as core glass. Nanocrystals were controllably precipitated and greatly enhanced, and upconversion luminescence was observed in NGC fibers. The designed FBS NGCs provided high-quality optical gain materials and offered opportunities for fabricating a wide range of NGC fibers for multiple future applications, including fiber lasers and sensors.

Efficient and Broadband Emission in Dy3+-Doped Glass-Ceramic Fibers for Tunable Yellow Fiber Laser.

Yellow lasers are of great interest in biology, medicine and display technology. However, nonlinear emission of near-infrared lasers at yellow still presents particularly complex optical alignment to date. Here, to the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate the fabrication of a NaLa(WO4)2: Dy3+ glass-ceramic fiber (GCF) for the first time. More importantly, the emission band of the GCF, which is around 575 nm, has a wide full-width half maximum (FWHM) of 18~22 nm, which is remarkably larger than that of the Dy3+-doped YAG crystal (<7 nm). The precursor fiber (PF) was drawn using the molten core drawing (MCD) method. In particular, benefiting from the in situ nanocrystals fabricated in the amorphous fiber core after thermal treatment, the resultant glass-ceramic fiber exhibits a five-times enhancement of luminescence intensity around 575 nm, compared with the precursor fiber, while retaining its broadband emission. Overall, this work is anticipated to offer a high potential GCF with prominent bandwidth for the direct access of a tunable yellow laser.

Mid-infrared 3–4 μm emission of Ni2+ doped chalcogenide glass-ceramic fiber

Mid-infrared 3–4 μm emission of Ni2+ doped chalcogenide glass-ceramic fiber

Enhanced broadband NIR emission in glass–ceramic fibers containing Nd3+/Yb3+ co‐doped YCa4O(BO3)3 disordered nanocrystal

AbstractDemands are increasing for ultrashort pulse laser in industrial applications, where the gain bandwidth of most optical fiber material is not wide enough, and developing a wide bandwidth gain medium is challenging. Glass–ceramic fibers containing Nd3+/Yb3+ co‐doped YCa4O(BO3)3 nanocrystals were fabricated by the molten core method and successive heat treatment. After a careful heat treatment, Nd3+/Yb3+ co‐doped YCa4O(BO3)3 nanocrystals were precipitated in the fiber core. Enhanced broadband near‐infrared (NIR) emission from 850 to 1150 nm (bandwidth: ∼252 nm) was obtained in the glass–ceramic fiber compared to that of precursor fiber. These results suggest that the Nd3+/Yb3+ glass–ceramic fibers are promising for broadband NIR optical amplifications and lasers.

Spectroscopic properties of the silicate-gallo-germanate glasses and glass-ceramic optical fiber co-doped with Ni2+/Er3+

This work presents an analysis of the spectroscopic properties of glass and glass ceramics co-doped with Ni2+ and Er3+ ions. Spectroscopic analysis showed the embedding of nickel ions in the gamma-gallium oxide nanocrystals as a result of heat treatment of the glass samples. Analysis of the luminescence properties of the obtained samples under 940 nm and 980 nm pump excitation allowed the selection of a proper Er3+ ions concentration for further optical fiber fabrication. Measured lifetime results of glass-ceramics samples confirm energy transfer from nickel ions to erbium. In the process of drawing the optical fiber, it was possible to create a transparent nanocrystalline glass-ceramic core, as confirmed by XRD results. The produced glass-ceramic optical fiber was characterized by broadband emission in the range from 1100 nm to 1650 nm corresponding to the 3T2(3F) →3A2(3F) (Ni2+) and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) transitions for 940 nm and 980 nm pump excitation. The Er3+ to Ni2+ ions emission intensity ratio of the fabricated glass-ceramic fiber was estimated to be 0.84 and 7.14 for 940 nm and 980 nm optical pumps, respectively.

A lanthanide-doped glass-ceramic fiber for stress sensing

Stress sensors that can recognize the location where a force is applied and propagate strain information are desirable for future integrated intelligent devices. However, developing sensors free from electromagnetic interference and complicated detector setups is challenging. Here, a self-driven optical fiber is developed and implemented as a remote stress sensor. Terbium-doped fluoride nanocrystals (Ba 2 LaF 7 : Tb 3+ ) are precipitated in situ from a transparent glass and have notable mechanoluminescence (ML) because of designed defect traps. We propose that the encapsulated nature of the nanocrystals (NCs) within the amorphous matrix facilitates efficient energy transfer from traps to emission centers, which is critical for achieving the ML behavior. The optical waveguide effect of the as-developed transparent ML sensor facilitates capture and transmission of the signals. The explored self-driven glass ceramic fiber opens a door for detecting and recording mechanical information within integrated devices. • Bright green mechanoluminescence is observed from terbium-doped fluoride nanocrystals in a transparent medium • An optical fiber is developed and implemented as a remote stress sensor • The explored transparent mechanoluminescent stress sensor is self-driven, free from external power Tang et al. demonstrate bright green mechanoluminescence from a transparent glass ceramic. The transparent medium developed in this work not only accurately records stress signals but also provides a promising strategy for transmission of the recorded signals.

Intense continuous‐wave laser and mode‐locked pulse operation from Yb3+‐doped oxyfluoride glass–ceramic fibers

AbstractUltrafast fiber lasers, due to their short pulse duration, excellent beam quality, and high brightness, are extensively used in precision processing, biomedicine, nonlinear optics, and spectroscopy. However, great challenges still exist in improving the optical conversion efficiency in glass‐based gain media because of the high non‐radiative transition probability. Here, we demonstrate an oxyfluoride glass–ceramic (GC) fiber containing NaYF4:Yb3+ nanocrystal that enables enhanced 1064‐nm continuous‐wave laser output with an optical signal‐to‐noise ratio of 60 dB. Compared with the as‐prepared glass fiber, the optical conversion efficiency of GC fiber is improved from 24.2% to 30.0%. The improvement of laser action is mainly caused by the preferential incorporation of Yb3+ into the NaYF4 nanocrystal with low phonon energy. Using this well‐developed GC fiber, we successfully built a passively mode‐locked pulsed fiber laser that deliveries laser pulses with a pulse duration of 8.1 ps and a repetition frequency of 56.92 MHz. These results highlight that the GC strategy may provide a roadmap for the development of ultrafast fiber laser and the application of GC fibers in various optoelectronic fields.

Nd3+-doped glass-ceramic fiber fabricated by drawing precursor ceramic and successive heat treatment

Optical fibers have been formed by replacing precursor glass core with precursor ceramic core, in which drawing process, the precursor ceramic melted to fill the space of the core region while the clad glass was softened. Nd3+ doped LaNbO4 nanocrystals were precipitated in the core after heat treatment. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, optical microscope, and photoluminescence were used to characterize the obtained fiber. No crystallization, cracking, bubble, or undissolved substance is observed in the core region of precursor fiber. Nd3+ doped LaNbO4 nanocrystals are precipitated in the core region after thermal treatment. Under the pumping source of 808 nm, three emission bands located at ∼887 nm, ∼1064 nm, and ∼1337 nm are observed, which makes this GC fiber a promising material for the NIR fiber amplifier.

Ultrafast Nanocrystallization of BaF2 in Oxyfluoride Glasses with Crystal-like Nanostructures: Implications for Upconversion Fiber Devices

Transparent glass–ceramic fibers containing fluoride nanocrystals are attracting attention as upconversion devices. In this paper, a material design is proposed that eliminates the need for heat treatment processes. The impact of short- to medium-range structures on the crystallization of glasses was investigated to enable nanocrystallization in the quenching process via ultrafast nucleation. In this study, the short- to medium-range structures of (33.3 – x/3)BaF2–xZnO–(66.7 – 2x/3)B2O3 glasses were investigated by 11B- and 19F-magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and the high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction. After heat treatment, glasses with x > 40 formed BaF2 nanocrystals with a diameter of ∼5 nm and a small particle size distribution (<1 nm). Based on the high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, the critical size of the nuclei was estimated to be 4 nm, which was similar to the size of the precipitated crystals. Obvious selectivity in the binding was observed: F– preferred Ba2+ and O2– preferred B3+, whereas Zn2+ was bound to both anions. The binding selectivity caused a bicontinuous structure of oxide and fluoride domains, and the fluoride-related structure factors and bond distance were very similar to the peak positions of the precipitated crystals. Er3+-doped glasses with x > 40 showed upconversion luminescence with a spectrum similar to that of BaF2. These results suggested the pre-existence of a crystal-like structure with a composition, density, and ordering similar to those of the precipitated crystals. Moreover, glass with the modified composition was successfully crystallized during press-quenching of the melt and the fiber drawing process. These results could facilitate the production of photonic components such as nanocrystallized glass fibers and microspheres for upconversion lasers as well as a wide variety of glass–ceramic products.

Glass-Ceramic Fiber for Stress Sensing

Glass-Ceramic Fiber for Stress Sensing

Microgripper Based on Simple Compliance Configurations, Improved by Using Parameterization

The design of a novel electrothermal microgripper device is shown, which is based on an improved chevron type actuator developed considering their elements parameterization, whose resistive model is also provided. The performance of the microgripper’s parameters, such as displacement, force, and temperature distribution, with convection for the voltage range from 0 up to 5 V, is evaluated through numerical and analytical simulation. Microgripper design was also improved with aid of parameterization. The effect on the microgripper performance due to its thickness is also analyzed, finding a considerable increment in force, when thickness increases. Its main advantage is given by the simplicity of the compliance arrangement of the microgrippers jaws. Considering convection, when 5 V are applied, 37.72 °C was generated at the jaw’s tips of the Improved Microgripper 2 (IMG2), implemented with silicon, this relatively low temperature increases its capabilities of application. When the IMG2 is implemented with polysilicon, its response is competitive comparing with a more complex microgripper, increase of displacement (50%) is shown, but a decrement of force (30%). The diameters allowed for the subjection objects are found between 84.64 µm and 108 µm, with weights lower than 612.2 µg. Some tests of subjection were performed using microcylinders of Au, glass ceramic, polycarbonate and carbon fiber, showing a permissible stress on them, considering its Young’s modulus, as well as the total reaction force induced. All simulations were done on Ansys software. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the future microgripper fabrication.

Enhanced CW Lasing and Q‐Switched Pulse Generation Enabled by Tm3+‐Doped Glass Ceramic Fibers

AbstractFiber lasers, owing to the high beam quality and super robustness, are widely used in fields from optical communications, fiber sensing, biomedicine to material processing. The use of glass fibers as the gain medium has, however, posed a strong obstacle for improving efficiency and, especially, achieving efficient lasing action in the mid‐infrared (MIR) region, because of the relatively large nonradiative energy loss. Here, the fabrication of a Tm3+‐doped tellurate glass‐ceramic (GC) fiber is demonstrated, which enables enhanced lasing action at ≈2 µm. Compared with the as‐prepared fiber, the optical conversion efficiency of GC fiber is increased from 8.8% to 14.1%. The microstructure and spectral characterization analyses suggest that the improvement of the laser performance in GC fiber is induced by the significant change of the local environment surrounding Tm3+ ions due to the formation of nanocrystals within the glass fibers. Moreover, the developed GC fiber also enables Q‐switched pulsed laser output at ≈2 µm with a pulse energy of 3.2 J and pulse width of 4.1 ns. The results demonstrated here may have strong implications in the development of MIR fiber lasers and the applications of GC fibers in MIR photonics.

Detection and comparison of fiber count concentration in processing environment of asbestos and man-made mineral fiber

Objective: To connect with the measurement data of asbestos dust fiber concentration in foreign countries, improve the accuracy of asbestos fiber detection in China, and understand the dust exposure in the working environment of asbestos and man-made mineral fiber production and processing sites in Zhejiang Province. The fiber count concentrations of working environment in glass fiber, ceramic fiber and asbestos processing plants were measured and compared. Methods: The dust concentration in the working environment of two glass fiber factories, one ceramic fiber factory and eight asbestos products processing factories was measured. The total dust mass concentration was measured according to GBZ/T 192.1-2007, and the fiber count concentration was measured by phase contrast microscope. Kruskal Wallis was used to test and compare the dust concentration in the working environment of each post. The correlation between asbestos mass concentration and fiber count concentration was analyzed by Spearman correlation. Results: Under the phase contrast microscope, there were many short and fine asbestos fibers in the field of vision, and there were many impurities around. The average dust concentration of asbestos processing plant was 3.2 f/ml, and the dust concentration of cotton ginning was the highest (6.68 f/ml) . There was a significantly positive correlation between asbestos fiber count concentration and mass concentration (r=0.535, P=0.033) . The average fiber count concentration of glass fiber factory was 0.001 f/ml, and the highest was 0.005 f/ml. The average fiber count concentration of ceramic fiber factory was 0.001 f/ml, and the highest was 0.006 f/ml. Conclusion: The fiber count concentration in the working environment of asbestos factory in Zhejiang Province is obviously over the standard, which is one of the important reasons for the high incidence of mesothelioma in this area. Short and small asbestos fibers are easy to be ignored when counting. It is necessary to improve the actual operation process of fiber counting to form a laboratory standard in China.

Crystallization Kinetics and Structural Properties of the 45S5 Bioactive Glass and Glass-Ceramic Fiber Doped with Eu3+

An investigation of the crystallization kinetics of 45S5 Bioglass® using differential scanning calorimetry is presented in this paper. Thermal analysis was performed using the Friedman method. The activation energy and the Avrami index were calculated. The glass samples were subjected to additional controlled heat treatment at 620 °C in order to obtain bioactive glass-ceramics with enhanced mechanical properties. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements indicated the formation of the glass-ceramic structures of three cyclosilicates: Na4Ca4(Si6O18) or Na6Ca3(Si6O18) or Na16Ca4(Si12O36). Based on middle infrared region (MIR) results, it can be concluded that the crystalline phase present in the tested materials was Na6Ca3(Si6O18) (combeite). Material was doped with Eu3+ ions, which act as a spectroscopic probe for monitoring the structural changes in the glass matrix. The decreasing value of the fluorescence intensity radio parameter indicated symmetry around the europium ions and, thus, the arrangement of the glass structure. The bioactive properties of the examined glass-ceramics were also determined. The bioactive glass fibers doped with Eu3+ were manufactured using two different methods. Its structural and luminescent properties were examined.

Powder-in-Tube Reactive Molten-Core Fabrication of Glass-Clad BaO-TiO2-SiO2 Glass-Ceramic Fibers.

In this paper we report the fabrication of glass-clad BaO-TiO2-SiO2 (BTS) glass–ceramic fibers by powder-in-tube reactive molten-core drawing and successive isothermal heat treatment. Upon drawing, the inserted raw powder materials in the fused silica tubing melt and react with the fused silica tubing (housing tubing) via dissolution and diffusion interactions. During the drawing process, the fused silica tubing not only serves as a reactive crucible, but also as a fiber cladding layer. The formation of the BTS glass–ceramic structure in the core was verified by micro-Raman spectroscopy after the successive isothermal heat treatment. Second-harmonic generation and blue-white photoluminescence were observed in the fiber using 1064 nm and 266 nm picosecond laser irradiation, respectively. Therefore, the BTS glass–ceramic fiber is a promising candidate for all fiber based second-order nonlinear and photoluminescence applications. Moreover, the powder-in-tube reactive molten core method offers a more efficient and intrinsic contamination-free approach to fabricate glass–ceramic fibers.