The Influence of $Nb_{2}O_{5}$ in the Linear and Nonlinear Properties of Fluorophosphates Glasses

In nonlinear optics, glasses play an important role in applications, such as telecommunication and integrated optics [1]. The fluorophosphate glasses have stood out, within this group, presenting excellent properties of both phosphate and fluorites, such as chemical stability, lower hygroscopicity, and high transmittance between UV and infrared [2]. Modifiers, such as <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$Nb_{2}O_{5}$</tex>, proved an interesting way to enhance some desirable characteristics in glasses, including improvements in both linear and nonlinear optical properties [3]. Adding higher concentrations of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$Nb_{2}O_{5}$</tex> can also promote higher polarizability, attributed to forming non-bridging oxygens (NBOs), crucial in enhancing nonlinear responses. This work studies the linear and nonlinear optical response of fluorophosphate glasses with different concentrations of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$Nb_{2}O_{5}$</tex>, presenting higher n2 than conventional glass systems, such as silicate, pyrophosphate, or borogermanate glasses [4], [5], with the potential for even greater optical applications.