TeO2-ZnO-La2O3 tellurite glass system investigation for mid-infrared robust optical fibers manufacturing

TeO2-ZnO-La2O3 (TZL) ternary glasses were investigated in order to manufacture step-index optical fibers with low losses the near- and mid-infrared ranges superior mechanical properties. To identify appropriate TZL glass compositions for manufacturing, whole vitreous domain of diagram was explored by characterizing bulk samples from thermal point view. Investigations focused on understanding how refractive index evolves as a function composition. For this, several parameters analyzed such density, molar volume, oxygen packing refractivity, polarizability basicity. Finally, structural studies DSC X-Ray diffraction allowed select most promising core cladding combination (in terms stability against crystallization), draw fibers. Step-index then successfully fabricated. Optical these first measured, giving minimum attenuations 1.25 dB/m at 2.15 µm less than 2 up 2.75 compared well-known TeO2-ZnO-Na2O (TZN) tests performed microhardness tensile strength measurements aim demonstrating improvement workability resistance TZN