Nanostructured transparent Fe²⁺-doped lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics with tunable optical properties: effect of heat-treatment regimes on near-infrared absorption

This study explores optical tuning of nanostructured transparent lithium aluminosilicate glassceramics nucleated by titania and doped with Fe²⁺ ions. The glass was melted at 1620 C and heat-treated between 660 C and 800 C, yielding nanocrystals of -Al²O³ (2 – 23 nm) and  -quartz solid solutions (8 – 40 nm). Fe2+ ions in octahedral coordination in the initial glass are responsible for absorption in the 1000 – 1400 nm range. Tetrahedrally coordinated Fe²+ ions in -Al²O³ are responsible for absorption at 1550 – 2300 nm. Crystallization of  -quartz solid solutions leads to decreasing the -Al²O³ fraction and corresponding decrease of absorption at 1550 – 2300 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman and optical spectroscopy reveal the relationship between heat-treatment regimes, crystalline phase development, and optical performance, highlighting the potential of Fe²+-doped LAS glass-ceramics for advanced photonic applications. The glass-ceramics exhibit customizable optical properties, promising for saturable absorbers in passive Q-switching lasers.

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