Control of SrF2 crystal size in transparent germanate oxyfluoride glass-ceramics through Eu2O3 doping

Dataset production context: The development of transparent glass-ceramics is a challenging endeavor in the field of mid-infrared photonics in order to fabricate robust and optically efficient materials. In this study, the glass-forming region of the novel xGeO2 – (100-x) (BaF2, SrF2, ½ In2O3) system is investigated, while SrF2-forming glass-ceramic compositions are identified. DSC measurements upon Eu2O3 doping show a decrease in the onset temperature of SrF2 crystallization. In the meantime, both XRD and TEM acquisitions confirm a decrease in crystal size as the dopant content increases. Part of the Eu3+ ions enter the SrF2 crystallites, as demonstrated by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopies. Hence, we demonstrate that europium oxide doping enables a precise control of SrF2 nanocrystal size in the GeO2-BaF2-SrF2-In2O3 system. Our findings open doors towards the nanostructure tailoring of SrF2-containing germanate glass-ceramics using rare-earth dopants for luminescence and laser applications. For more information see the article. English