A study was undertaken to see how some components can affect the physicochemical properties of PbO−BaO−Al 2 O 3 −P 2 O 5 optical glasses. The possibility is demonstrated for the manufacture of phosphate-base flint glasses with a high refractive index and improved transmission in the visible and UV regions of the spectrum.

The possibility of preparing lead phosphate flint glasses with high transmission (up to 95% for a 10-mm layer at the wavelength of 350–360 nm) and a high refractive index is shown. The developed glasses are recommended for optical systems.

The interrelation between the chemical composition of spectacle glass and its optical characteristics is considered. A correlation dependence of different cations on the refractive index is established. The possibility of directed synthesis of new glasses with specified optical characteristics is established.

The experimental curves of the photochromic properties of glasses as a function of their composition and the coordination state of the components were analyzed based on coordination theory and the concept of acid-base ratios. It was hypothesized that the notion concerning the formation of unstable boron-based complexes containing active photosensitive components can also be extended to the coordination state of aluminum. A correlation was demonstrated between the photochromic properties of copper halide glasses and the basicity coefficient, which generally characterizes the acid-base properties of glass.

The geometry, refractive indices and dispersion of the H4P2O7 structural unit were calculated by the MNDO CI (configurational interactions) semi-empirical molecular orbital method. The optimized geometry and calculated properties showed a good agreement with the experimentally determined data. The absorption edge was found to be 100 nm. Using Sellmeier's dispersion formula with the assumption that λ1 = 100 nm and nD = 1.503, a number of refractive i ndices of P2O5 glass and then dispersion coefficient were calculated. Abbe value, νD, proved to be 60.6, which was in a good correlation with experimental data determinated by Kordes (60.6). It was concluded that the MNDO CI approach may be employed for estimating optical properties of different oxides and materials when direct measurements are not available.

Using the EPR technique, a series of irradiated silicate, phosphate and alumophosphate cadmium-containing glasses with an admixture of copper and halogens have been investigated. We have observed the EPR spectrum due to Cd+, determined the hfs constant for Cd+ as a function of glass composition, detected a change in the structural position of Cd+ with varying Al2O3 concentration. It has been found that the glass composition affects the degree of distortion of the PO4 tetrahedron which manifests itself in a change in the hfs constant for the PO2−3 radical. A new phosphorus radical with the parameters A1 = 312 G and g1 = 2.0034 has been observed.

Spectroscopic investigation of glasses containing rare-earth elements as active additives (“probes”) is one method of studying structural changes in glasses, as their absorption and luminescence spectra depend on interaction of the active additive with the surrounding ligands. This interaction, in its turn, is determined not only by the nature of the additives but also by their structural distribution.