Structure of rare-earth chalcogenide glasses by neutron and x-ray diffraction

What is it about?

We unravel the structural complexity of rare-earth containing chalcogenide glasses using a combination of x-ray diffraction neutron diffraction with isomorphic substitution.

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Photo by Clyde He on Unsplash

Photo by Clyde He on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We investigate the structural origin of rare-earth clustering in chalcogenide glasses, which are exemplars of luminescent materials whose optical properties are engineered by (i) the adoption of a rare-earth host-matrix having low phonon energies, and (ii) co-doping the rare-earth ions with charge compensating elements. In particular, we obtain site-specific structural information on these materials by using the method of neutron diffraction with rare-earth isomorphic substitution. The results reveal both the coordination environment of the rare-earth ions, and the nature of the networks in which these ions are incorporated. This information is important for the development of new glass structures with tailored luminescent properties.

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