New and improved compositions of doped and co-doped bismuth
fluorophosphate glasses for lasers is disclosed that have a high
refractive index (nD) of approximately 1.6 and higher, high transmission
in the near infrared part of the spectrum, and a wide glass forming
domain. The disclosed glass systems
Al(PO.sub.3).sub.3--Ba(PO.sub.3).sub.2--Bi(PO.sub.3).sub.3--BaF.sub.2+RFx-
+dopands use dopants from the group of oxides and or fluorides of rare
earth elements Nd, Er, Yb, Tm, Tb, Ho, Sm, Eu and Pr as well as MnO and
mixtures thereof over 100 percent (wt %) of the glass-base composition.
These glasses have high chemical durability, radiation resistance,
efficiency of laser use in the infrared and blue spectrum, and improved
duration of luminescence.