Method for preparing a fused silica glass body co-doped with a rare

Abstract

A novel method is proposed for the preparation of a transparent fused silica glass body co-doped with a rare earth element and aluminum each in a high uniformity of the dopant distribution. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flame-hydrolyzing a silicon compound and an aluminum compound in an oxyhydrogen flame to form a porous silicon oxide body containing aluminum; (b) soaking the porous body having a specified bulk density with a solution of a rare earth compound; (c) drying the solution-soaked porous body; and (d) sintering and vitrifying the dried porous body into a transparent glass body.