Thermal, structural, magnetic and magneto-optical properties of dysprosium-doped phosphate glass

The work is dedicated to the investigation of optical, structural, magnetic and magneto-optical properties of an aluminophosphate glass doped with Dy3+ ions, for specific applications as Faraday rotators in the visible spectral domain. The vitreous material belongs to the 16Li2O-8Al2O3-6BaO-60P2O5-10Dy2O3 system. Optical homogeneity measured by a polariscopic method, as well as by polarimetry and interferometry revealed an optical quality glass. Time dependent electrical conductance measurements have shown a high chemical strength of the glass. Optical absorption of the doped glass in the visible domain evidenced the specific absorption lines of dysprosium ions, whereas structural investigations made by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy put in evidence the vitreous network forming role of phosphorous pentoxide. Magnetic and magneto-optical measurements demonstrated paramagnetic features of the doped glass, as well as a Verdet constant of about −0.05 min/Oe/cm at 600 nm wavelength. •The optical homogeneity of the glass shows a reduced content of bubbles striae and a remnant birefringence bellow 10 nm/cm.•The high hydrolytic resistance is due to Al2O3 which creates Al(OP)6 species, very resistant to hydrolytic attack.•FTIR and Raman spectra show the presence of Dy3+ ions, modifying the features of the specific vibration modes.•The magnetic measurements show a paramagnetic character, with an almost two orders of magnitude higher magnetic response.•The relative high transmission value of the doped sample at 600 nm results in Verdet constant being about −0.05 min/Oe/cm.