Development of CeO₂-doped borophosphate glasses: fabrication, structure and linear/nonlinear optical characteristics for optical purposes

Newly cerium oxide (CeO₂)-doped borophosphate glasses with chemical formula B₂O₃ + P₂O₅ + CaO + Na₂O + xCeO₂: x = 0.0–1.5 mol% were fabricated by using the conventional melt-quenching technique. Structural, optical, and physical characteristics of the proposed samples have been investigated. XRD measurements proved the amorphous nature of the prepared BCe-X glasses. Density (ρ) of samples varied from 2.83 ± 0.01 g/cm³ to 2.95 ± 0.01 g/cm³, while the molar volume (V_m) reduced from 28.41 ± 0.01 cm³/mol to 27.81 ± 0.01 cm³/mol as CeO₂ increased from 0.0 to 1.5 mol% in the BCe-X network. The absorption spectra of the proposed BCe-X glasses showed the absence of the absorption bands at 345 and 450 nm. The values of refractive index (n) decreased during the wavelength range (normal dispersion) for the present BCe-X glass samples. Values of optical band gap (E_g) exhibited a reduction behavior, it found be decreased from 4.04 eV to 3.89 eV as the CeO₂ concentrations elevated from 0 to 1.5 mol %. The non-linear refractive index (n₂) and the third-order non-linear optical susceptibility (χ⁽³⁾) increased gradually with CeO₂ additives. Results showed that the suggested BCe-X compositions can be applied for many advanced opto-electronic and communication systems.