Resources available for project (human, equipments, others):
The senior researchers from the partners involved in the project, one research institute, one University and one SME, PhD in the domains of science and engineering of oxide materials, physics of condensed matter, general chemistry, electronics, optics, which will be undertaking the research and development work, have previous rich experience relevant to all the tasks attributed in the project, related to sol-gel and chemical processes, RFMS and PLD deposition, structural, microstructural, magnetic, optical and electrical characterization, and also to design and fabrication of optoelectronic devices. There are also involved in the project young researchers, PhD students, which will study and learn research procedures and will apply the knowledge in PhD thesis finalization.

The existing equipment which will cover, together with some subcontracting analysis, all needs of the project, is presented below, for the three partners.

CO-Existent equipment: The coordinator CO, INFLPR is equipped with: Balzers BA 510, thin films evaporation plant; RF magnetron-sputtering VARIAN ER 3119, technological equipment for thin films processing; Leybold electron gun for thin films evaporation and beam figuring; spin-coater for sol-gel thin films deposition; BALZERS QMG 100, quadrupolar mass spectrometer; NOMAD, USA, atomic force microscope; DRON DART-UM X-ray diffractometer; Carl Zeiss Jena, UV-VIZ-NIR-IR; FTIR Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer; FEI/Phillips USA scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM); complex laser equipment for material processing Nd:YAG or CO2 type and high power laser 15TW, 25fs, for nano-materials modeling and processing; Möller interferometer; extensive capabilities to deposit thin films by Pulsed Laser Deposition technique (using a KrF laser and several special equipped chambers) for fundamental studies a special furnace (Carbolite) for heat treatments under vacuum or various atmospheres up to a temperature of 1800 oC; Nabertherm and Linton electrical furnaces equipped with superkanthal and silite elements with controllers for atmosphere and temperature; Shimadzu analytical balance with density kit, pH-meter, Linseis Dilatometer, melting furnaces, annealing furnaces, cutting and polishing equipment.

P2-Existent equipment:
Furnace for thermal treatment with controlled environment MEV; Sintering furnace high temperature (UK); Spinner Delta 10 TT (Suss MicroTec); Vacuum deposition; Microwave soldering station; Vertical laminar flow VLF; Orizontal laminar flow HLF; Thin films measurement Thaly-step “TAYLOR-HOBSON”; Metallographic microscope; Photometer/radiometer; Caracterograph Tectronix 576; Oscilloscope Tektronix 466; Pulse generator Wavetek; Resistivity measurement equipment FOXBORO; Interpherometer ZYGO PM2; AC/DC supply source; Elipsometer GSS; Pick and place EPE Technology 20/20; Oscilloscope Tektronix 467; Ultrapure water system Centra R 200.

P3-Existent equipment:
X-ray Diffractometer (Rigaku, DMAX-III C); X-ray Diffractometer rotative anode + (AXS-Bruker, D5000); Sequential X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF, PANalytical, Axios); SEM-EDS (Zeiss-Auriga), SEM (ZEISS, DSM 960); EDS (Oxford Instruments INCAx-sight); Inverted optical microscope (Leica, DMI 5000 M); DSC-TG (Linseis STA PT 1600), DSC (Netzch 204 F1 Phoenix) NMR (Bruker Avance III 300MHz), Dilatometer (Adamel D.I.24); Horizontal and muffle furnaces (up to 1600 ºC); He-pycnometer (Micromeritics, Accupyc 1330); IR Spectrometer (Mattson, 7000 FT-IR ); UV-VIS-NIR double beam spectrometer (Shimadzu, UV3100PC); Keithley 617 Model Programmable.

Stage 1, year 2014

In this stage were designed, modeled, and realized materials as bulk glass, powders and coatings by sol-gel, MS and PLD methods.
The influence of pH, temperature, time on the sol- gel process was investigated, in aim of obtaining powders and desired thin films.
Were analyzed the properties of vitreous blocks materials, powders and thin nanostructured vitreous films, by using DTA, Raman, FTIR spectroscopy and UV-VIS, thermal analyzes and Vickers micro hardness.
Correlation structure – properties was done by using XRD, XRF, SEM + EDS, EDAX, and AFM.
The magneto- optical properties were investigated by using a modified Kerr device.

Experiments
Were obtained vitreous matrixes for targets, comprising network formers, phosphorus and boron oxides, together with modifiers and stabilizers, such as Li2O, Al2O3 and ZnO.
Targets of boro-phosphate glass, containing 3 mole% additives were prepared by using p.a. reagents, by melting in electric furnace with superkanthal elements, at 1200-12500C for 2-4 hours, in alumina crucibles.
For improving the quality of glass the melt was mechanically homogenized by using an alumina stirrer.
The annealing was done in an electric furnace with kanthal elements at 480oC, for 4 hours.
The Raman spectra identified the structural symmetric and asymmetric units (POP) Q2 and Q1 at 328/350 and respectively 718/725 cm-1.
The delay about 950 cm-1 and 1180/1190 cm-1 are attributed to symmetric and asymmetric (PO2) in Q2 units and (PO3)2- as Q1 units.
The presence of BOB Q2 and Q1 units is evidenced by the maxima at 660 and respectively 950 cm-1. The maximum at 470 cm-1 is attributed to bending (BOB) units.
The UV- VIS transmittance is 90 % on whole domain for BPM2 sample. Maximum absorption peaks characteristics for Co2 + ions are evidenced in BPM3 sample.

Sol- gel experiments
They were made two set of samples.
In first stage were used as starting material H3BO3 which was dissolved in 2.82 ml H2O.
Then was introduced H3PO4, 4.23 ml, and C2H5OH, (50%) 13.74ml. To modify the pH was added NH4OH, to increase from 1.5 to 3.5.
Samples were thermal treated at 40 0C for 1h and at 50 0C for 1h.
In the second stage were prepared 5 samples starting from B2O3 and TEP, C2H5OH and 2.83 ml H2O.
To homogenize were micro wave treated at 60 0C for 10 min. The pH variation was from 3 to 6.
Then were made thermal treatments at 120 0C for 1h, and at 1500C for 2h.
Were obtained dried gels for 3 samples at pH 3, 4 and 5.
Thin films were obtained by PLD and MSD deposition.
Experimental data for PLD were: laser KrF, Fluence 2.5 J/cm2; Ts=400-800 oC; Pressure 10-4 mbar O2; 12500 – 25000 pulses; film growth 200 -1000 nm.

The working conditions are presented in the table below.

XRD showed that the obtained films were amorphous.
The AFM investigations pointed out that the substrate temperature influence the thickness of thin films from BPM2 target, obtained by PLD.
Using AFM were measured the thickness of the thin films obtained by PLD: the films deposited at 400 °C, fad double thickness comparatively to that obtained at 600 °C.
Roughness is influenced by the numbers of pulses. Roughness increases from 60 nm to 150 nm at 400 °C, respectively from 20 nm to 50 nm at 600 °C when the number of pulses grows from 12500 to 25000.
AFM investigation showed that the temperature of substrate influenced the thickness of thin films obtained by PLD from BPM2 target. Using AFM was measured the thickness of the film deposited by PLD at 400 °C, being about double compared with the one obtained at 600 °C.

Obtaining of films by MS
Magnetron sputtering deposition (MS) is a PVD process of deposition from vapors, technologic process used in many industrial techniques for thin layers deposition on different substrates. This technique realizes physically very thin layers (nanometers) or thick layers (microns) having a very good adherence to the substrate, stoichiometry and uniformity, from mechanical and optical point of view.
The deposition of the layers (metal, semiconductor or dielectric) on substrate is made in vacuum (10-4torr – 10-2torr) by bombardment the target (material to be deposited) with energetic ions, in most cases being Ar ions. The gaze in these depositions having good efficiency / yield of pulverization is Argon. This was used by us. After the interaction with the Argon ions the atoms of the material for deposition are released and accelerated in electric and magnetic simulated field (RF) toward the substrate. The deposition process in the formed plasma between the target and substrate is linear and uniform on all substrate surface.
The working condition were the following: Ar pressure, 1×10 -4 torr (30 cm3), active power 100 W, intensity of current 0.2 A, deposition speed 0.6-0.8 Ǻ/s, thickness layer 0.5 micron.
Magneto optical properties
Faraday magnetometer with longitudinal sample cell was used for measuring magnetic properties at the wavelength of 630 nm. Rotation obtained with this device was 0.4 degrees, close to ellipsometry measurements results.

Abstract stage 2, 2015, for the MAGPHOGLAS project, M-ERA.NET 7-081/2013

In this stage were obtained the following:
– Experiments to obtain coatings from boro -phosphate materials by sol-gel method and targets for MS and PLD by melting –quenching and annealing method;
– From boro – phosphate materials, the basic receipt and doped with rare earth ions and post transitional elements were obtained thin films by spin coating method and targets for MS and PLD depositions;
– The block materials and thin films were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman, AFM, SEM, XRD, luminescence analyses and mechanical properties;
– The magneto-optical properties were measured by a modified Kerr device.
– Was realized a Faraday rotator prototype;
– Dissemination of the obtained results.

Obtaining of vitreous targets

Were obtained targets for MS and PLD based on vitreous matrixes containing network formers boron and phosphorus oxides, together with modifiers and stabilizers such as Li2O, Al2O3 and ZnO.

Targets from boro-phosphate glass, containing 6 mol % dopants, were prepared from pure reagents, p.a. by melting in electric furnace with superkantal elements, at 1200-12500C, time 2-4 h, in alumina crucibles. In order to increase the glass quality the melt was homogenized by an alumina stirrer.

The annealing was done in an electric furnace with kanthal elements, at 480oC, for 4 h.

Optimized sol-gel experiments

To optimize the obtaining of sol-gel coatings from boro-phosphate systems doped and undoped was first optimized the method of powder and layers obtaining by sol-gel from the base recipe, containing only phosphorus and boron oxides.

Were used as starting materials B2O3, that was dissolved in 2.82 ml H2O, 4.23 ml H3PO4 and 13.74 ml C2H5OH. In order to fix the pH was added 1N solution of HCl or solution 25% NH4OH, obtaining pH from 1.5 to 3, respectively 7-8.
Samples were thermal treated at 40 0C for 1 h and than at 50 0C, for 1h.

Were made experiments to deposit coatings from the obtained sols, but without high quality results.

Were prepared four samples starting from B2O3 and TEP, C2H5OH and 2.83 ml H2O, together with the dopants DyCl3.6H2O and TbCl3.6H2O.The pH variations was from 1.5 to 3.

For homogenization the samples were introduced in an ultrasound bath, at 40 0C for 10 min. From samples 1 and 2 were deposited by spin –coating method, on boro- silicate and silica glass substrates, at speeds between 1000 and 1500 rot/min, time 30 s, 10 layers each, with thermal treatments between depositions at cca 100oC for 30 s, and in the end at 100 oC for 1 h.

The quality of the depositions was investigated by AFM.

Thin films obtained by PLD

Were deposited films by PLD method from BPM6 targets on boro-silicate glass, quartz glass and silica substrates.

The process parameters were:
Laser KrF, wave length 248 nm; Fluency: 1.5 J/cm2 ; Frequency 40 Hz ; Pressure room: 0.012-0.3 Pa; Pulse number: 13000 and 25000 ; Substrate temperature: 50 – 600oC.
The obtained samples were characterized by AFM, the roughness being over 100 nm.

It were made depositions at 193 nm wave length, frequency 20 Hz, 72000 pulses and fluency 1.0 J/cm2. Substrate temperature was 300 oC and the pressure 5×10-2 bar.

The first obtained sample is under characterization by profilometry, to determine the film growth and by AFM to establish the deposition roughness.

Model and design of meta-materials and boro-phosphate nano structurated vitreous materials with negative refractive index

The experiments were made on an installation RF magnetron sputtering assisted by an ion gun, technological device type VARIAN ER 3119.

In the reaction camber were placed the substrates BPM2 and boro-silicate glass at 100 mm distance against the magnetron cathode.

A 99.99% Ag target was placed at the magnetron cathode M1. The vide cycle by “CRYO pumps VARIAN VS eight” took 4 h, in order to obtain 4.5 x 10-6 torr.

The deposition of Ag layer was done in controlled atmosphere Argon 99.99% at flow 25 s.c.cm and a partial pressure 4.5 x 10-4 torr.

The evaporation speed was constant 0.5 Ǻ/s – 0.9 Ǻ/s. The film thickness was 3 nm + 0.5 nm.

The realized experiments were demonstrated by fine controlled morphology of Ag surfaces (processed by ion beam with energy under 1500 eV) increase of details at 30 nm with an illumination between 400 nm- 500 nm. The spectra recorded at QE 1400 confirmed the experimental result.

Determination of properties for the obtained materials

Structural properties

Partner New University of Lisbon, Faculty of Science and Technology-I3N/CENIMAT made the characterization of the obtained films by sol- gel, PLD, and MS methods, by UV-Vis, SEM-EDS, DRX and of powders materials by SEM-EDS, XRD. The same partner determined the luminescence properties of sample BPM6.

Magneto-optical properties

Was used a Faraday longitudinal magnetometer with the measure cell with transparent block at 630 nm wave length. For sample BMPG 2d_1 and BMPG 2d_2, the magnetic measurements put into evidence a paramagnetic behavior till the lowest temperature (5 K) and a magnetic susceptibility 4 times bigger in the second sample, the value was closed to hath the magnetite value.

Mechanical properties

Were realized mechanical properties measurements, nano indentation, micro hardness, Young module, by partners from Applied Physics Institute of Academy of Sciences of Republica Moldova from Chisinau.

Realization of Faraday rotator prototype / ultra fast comutator opto -magnetic based on BPG (boro- phosphate glass);

Based on an original conception, design and development by partner SITEX it was realized the design documentation and realization, under patent, for two types of opto-magnetic comutators based on BPM2/6 (boro- phosphate glass).

For the design and fabrication of protopype the base was the functionality of a classic opto- magnetic comutator.

Dissemination by publication of papers and presentations of the project results at International Conferences

The dissemination of the project results was made by publishing 2 articles in ISI journals, 2 articles accepted for publication in ISI journals, and by presentation of 8 scientific papers at International Conferences.

During 18-22.06.2015 at Lisbon took place the project partners meeting. Partner SITEX made a patent deposition.

The general objectives of the project are:
(i) The design and development of vitreous BPG nano-materials by the sol-gel method, coprecipitation and coacervate techniques;
(ii) Nano-structured powders and thin layers obtained by RFMS deposition, from BPG, at lower temperatures;
(iii) High field (G-TW) and very short pulse (fs) laser irradiation on nano-structured BPG coatings for the preparation of meta-materials;
(iv) Complex vitreous materials with negative refractive index in bulk;
(v) Design and development of nano-structured thin films using RFMS and PLD/Ag-thin films on nano-structured BPG surface with negative refractive index;
(vi) Modeling of nano-structure in nano-structured BPG;
(vii) Structural and morphological characterization of the obtained materials and correlation with desired properties;
(viii) Design and manufacturing of new Faraday rotator/ ultrafast opto-magnetic switch prototype using these materials with functional surfaces.

Coordinator: National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics
Legal status: RES (Research Organisation)
Main focus: Applied Research
Website: http://www.inflpr.ro
Region/Country: Romania
VAT number: RO9052135
Contact person in the company: Bogdan Alexandru Sava
Tel: +4 0728062160
E-mail: savabogdanalexandru@yahoo.com
Person contacted in the Region for funding programme: Mircea Segarceanu
Funding Programme full name: UEFISCDI Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research,Development and Innovation Funding

Partner 2: SC SITEX 45 SRL
Legal status: SME (Small medium enterprise)
Main focus: Applied Research
Website: http://www.sitex45.ro
Region/Country: Romania
VAT number: RO3398408
Size (Employees): 15
Turnover (K€): 419
Contact person in the company: Dumitru Ulieru
Tel: +4 0752039770
E-mail: dumitru_ulieru@yahoo.com.hk
Person contacted in the Region for funding programme: Mircea Segarceanu
Funding Programme full name: UEFISCDI Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research,Development and Innovation Funding

Partner 3: New University of Lisbon, Faculty of Science and Technology-I3N/CENIMAT
Legal status: HE (University)
Main focus: Basic Research
Website: http://www.cenimat.fct.unl.pt
Region/Country: Portugal
VAT number: 505954702
Contact person in the company: Regina Monteiro
Tel: +351 21-294 8562
E-mail: rcm@fct.unl.pt
Person contacted in the Region for funding programme: Dina Carrilho
Funding Programme full name: FCT Foundation for Science and Technology

Initial Dissemination

Published papers

1. C. Nico, R. Fernandes, M. P. F. Graça, M. Elisa, B. A. Sava, R. C. C. Monteiro, L. Rino, T. Monteiro, “Eu3+ luminescence în aluminophosphate glasses”, J. Lumin., 145, pp. 582- 587, 2014
2. R. S. Soares, R.C.C. Monteiro, M.R.A. Lima, B.A Sava, M. Elisa, “Phase transformation and microstructural evolution after heat treatment of a terbium-doped aluminium phosphate glass”, J. Mater. Sci., 49 (13), pp. 4601-4611, 2014
3. C. R. Iordanescu, I. D. Feraru, M. Elisa, I. C. Vasiliu, A. Volceanov, S. Stoleriu, M. Filipescu, “Structural and morphological studies of Nd-doped phosphate thin films deposited by PLD on silicon wafers”, J. Optoelectron. Adv. Mater., vol. 16 (3-4), 2014, p. 288 – 294
4. Roque S. Soares, Regina C. C. Monteiro, Andreia A. S. Lopes, Maria M. R. A. Lima, Bogdan A. Sava, Mihail Elisa, “Crystallization and microstructure of Eu3+-doped lithium aluminophosphate glass”, J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 403, pp. 9–17, 2014
5. Bogdan Sava, Mihai Elisa, Cristina Bartha, Raluca Iordanescu, Ionut Feraru, Carmen Plapcianu, Roxana Patrascu, “Non-isothermal free-models kinetic analysis on crystallization of europium-doped phosphate glasses”, Ceramics International, 40, 8A, 2014, pp 12387-12395

Papers sent for publishing

1. D. Grabco, O. Shikimaka, B.A. Sava, M. Elisa, L. Boroica, E. Harea, C. Pyrtsac, A. Prisacaru “Visualization of real microstructure of phosphate based glasses doped by rare-earth elements”, submitted to Materials Characterization, 2014
2. O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, B.A. Sava, M. Elisa, L. Boroica, E. Harea, C. Pyrtsac, A. Prisacaru, “Strain rate influence on indentation-induced densification and deformation of terbium-doped aluminophosphate glass”, submitted to J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 2014

Papers presented at International Conferences

1. B. A. Sava, O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, M. Elisa, L. Boroica, E. Harea, C. Pyrtsac, “Thermally induced indentation recovery în terbium dopped aluminophosphate glasses”, The 3rd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes, IC-CMTP3, Miskolc Lillafured, Hungary, 2014, Book of Abstracts, Session 5, Glasses, Coatings and Related Materials, pag. 96, ISBN 978-963-12-0334-9
2. Bogdan Alexandru Sava, Mihail Elisa, Lucica Boroica, Olga Shikimaka, Daria Grabco, Victor Kuncser, and Rares Medianu, “Rare earth doped phosphate glasses for magneto-optical devices”, The 3rd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes, IC-CMTP3, Miskolc Lillafured, Hungary, 2014, Book of Abstracts, Session 5, Glasses, Coatings and Related Materials, pag. 97, ISBN 978-963-12-0334-9
3. B. A. Sava, “Phosphate and borate-phosphate glasses. Obtaining, properties and some applications”, The Sixth Balkan Conference on Glass Science & Technology, The 18th Conference on glass and ceramics, 01. – 04.10.2014, Nessebar, Bulgaria, Abstract Book, p 22-23, Invited paper.
4. L. Boroica, B. A. Sava, M. Elisa, V. Kuncser, R. Iordanescu, I. Feraru, M. Eftimie, “Structure and properties of doped-borophosphate glasses for magneto-optical devices” Sixth Balkan Conference on Glass Science & Technology, 18th Conference on Glass and Ceramics, Nessebar, Bulgaria, 2014, Abstract Book, pag. 25-26, prezentare orala
5. Sava B., Iordanescu R., Feraru I., Elisa M., Vasiliu I., Boroica L., Bartha C., Plapcianu C., Palade. P., Valeanu M., Kuncser V., Volceanov A., Stoleriu S., “Optical, thermal and structural properties of iron-doped phosphate glasses’, 12th European Society of Glass Technology-ESG 2014, Parma, Italy, Book of Abstracts, Special Glass Poster Session -13 SGP, pag.205
6. Eftimie M., Volceanov A., Dima V., Elisa M., “Physical and morphological characterization of some phosphate-based glasses for magneto-optical application”, 12th European Society of Glass Technology-ESG 2014, Parma, Italy, Book of Abstracts, Special Glass Poster Session -03 PMP, pag.192
7. L. Boroica, B. A. Sava, M. Elisa, M. Valeanu, V. Kuncser, M. Sofronie, O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, “Magneto-optical and mechanical properties of rare-earth doped phosphate glasses”, 7th International Conference on Materials Science and Condensed Matter Physics-MSCMP 2014, Vadu lui Voda, , Rep. of Moldova, 2014, Abstract Book, p. 88, prezentare orala
8. O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, B. A. Sava, M. Elisa, L. Boroica, E. Harea, C. Pyrtsac, A. Prisacaru, D. Spoiala, “Micro- and macro-mechanical properties of aluminophosphate glasses depending on their compozition and loading conditions”, 7th International Conference on Materials |Science and Condensed Matter Physics-MSCMP 2014, Vadu lui Voda, Rep. of Moldova, 2014, Abstract Book, p. 131, prezentare orala
9. B. A. Sava, L. Boroica, M. Elisa, G. Socol, A. Andrei, A. M. Niculescu, O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, “Doped boro-phosphate vitreous materials as PLD thin films, obtaining and properties”, 7th International Conference on Materials Science and Condensed Matter Physics-MSCMP 2014, Vadu lui Voda, Rep. of Moldova, 2014, Abstract Book, p. 135, prezentare orala
10. Iordanescu R., Feraru I., Elisa M., Sava B., Boroica L., Valeanu M., Kuncser V., Sofronie M, “.Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of La, Y and Eu-doped phosphate glasses”, The 8th International Conference on Borate Glasses, Crystals and Melts “Borate Phosphate 2014”, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Published by ICARIS Ltd., p. 206
11. Sava B. A., Boroica L., Elisa M., Medianu R. V., Monteiro R. C. C., “Boro-phosphate glasses doped with d and f oxides for photonics, preparation and characterization”, The 8th International Conference on Borate Glasses, Crystals and Melts “Borate Phosphate 2014”, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Published by ICARIS Ltd., p. 219
12. Sava Bogdan Alexandru, Boroica Lucica, Elisa Mihai, Medianu Rares Victor, Grabco Daria, Shikimaka Olga, “Boro-phosphate glasses for optoelectronics and photonics”, International Conference “ Modern Laser Applications – INDLAS 2014, Bran, Romania, prezentare orala
13. D.Ulieru, “The applications of Organic and Flexible Electronics innovative MOEMS (Micro-opto-electromechanical microsystems ) development for SITEX`s bio- medical approaches”, The 10th Annual General Assembly and 33rd Working Group Meeting, Beerse-Brussels, Belgium, 29/30 Oct 2014
14. D.Ulieru, A.Tantau, X.Vila, „Innovative cooling solutions for power optoelectronics devices”, International Semiconductors Conference, CAS 2014,13/15 sept, Sinaia, Romania

2015 Dissemination for the Project MAGPHOGLAS M-ERA.NET 7-081/2013

Published papers

1. Olga Shikimaka, Daria Grabco, Bogdan Alexandru Sava*, Mihail Elisa, Lucica Boroica, Evghenii Harea, Constantin Pyrtsac, Andrian Prisacaru, Zinaida Barbos, “Densification contribution as a function of strain rate under indentation of terbium-doped aluminophosphate glass”, Journal of Materials Science, DOI 10.1007/s10853-015-9460-8, 2015
2. M. Sofronie, M. Elisa, B. A. Sava, L. Boroica, M. Valeanu, V. Kuncser, “Rapid determination of Faraday rotation in optical glasses by means of secondary Faraday modulator”, Review of Scientific Instruments 86, 053905 (2015); DOI: 10.1063/1.4920920

Papers approved for publishing

1. Valeanu, Mihaela; Sofronie, Mihaela; Galca, Aurelian Catalin; Tolea, Felicia; Elisa, Mihai; Sava, Bogdan; Boroica, Lucica; Kuncser, Victor ; “Relationship between magnetism and magneto-optical effects in Rare Earth doped aluminophosphate glasses”, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
2. B. A. Sava, C. Tardei, C. M. Simonescu, L. Boroica, A. Melinescu, “ Hydroxyapatite nanopowders obtained by sol-gel method, synthesis and properties”, Optoelectronic and Advanced Materials-Rapid Communications

Papers presented at International Conferences

1. Andreia Lopes, M. M. R. A. Lima, J. P. Veiga, B. Sava, L. Boroica, M Elisa, D. Ulieru, R. C. C. Monteiro, “Thermal characteristics of co-doped borophosphate glass”, Materials 2015 International Conference, 21-23.06.2015, Porto, Portugal
2. B. A. Sava, C. Tardei, C.A. Simonescu, A. Cucos, L. Boroica, “Hydroxyapatite nanopowders obtained by sol-gel method. synthesis and properties”, The 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials, ROCAM 2015, 7-10 July 2015, Bucharest, Romania
3. Boroica L., Sava B. A., Medianu V.R., Elisa M., Filipescu M.,Monteiro R., Iordanescu R., Feraru I., Shikimaka O., Grabco D., “Thin films obtained by magnetron sputtering from boro- phosphate glasses doped with Dy and Tb”, ROMOPTO 2015, 1-4 sept. 2015, Bucharest, Romania
4. Sava B. A., Boroica L., Elisa M., O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, G. Socol, Regina C C Monteiro, V. Kuncser, R. Iordanescu, I. Feraru, R. Medianu, “ Obtaining and characterization of doped boro-posphate nanomaterials for photonics”, ROMOPTO 2015, 1-4 sept. 2015, Bucharest, Romania
5. B.A. Sava, L. Boroica, M. Elisa, R.C.C. Monteiro, O. Shikimaka, D. Grabco, R. Iordanescu, I. Feraru, „Sol- gel obtaining of powders and thin films from doped boro-phosphate systems”, Conferinta Internationala “Sol-Gel 2015”, Kyoto, Japonia, 6.09.2015-11.09.2015
6. Sava B. A., Boroica L., Elisa M., Socol G., Stefan N. , Andrei A., Filipescu M., Monteiro R., Iordanescu R., Feraru I., Shikimaka O., Grabco D., “PLD Thin Films Obtained From Dy2O3 And Tb2O3 Co-doped Boro-Phosphate Glasses”, Conferinta Internationala “ International Comission on Glass \ 2015”, 20.09.-23.09.2015, Bangkok Tailanda Abstract Book, p. 208
7. B. A. Sava, M. Elisa, L. Boroica, R. Medianu, R. C. C. Monteiro, V. Kuncser, M. Valeanu, R. Iordanescu, I. D. Feraru, “Bismuth and lead oxide co-doped borophosphate thin films obtained by RF magnetron sputtering, for magneto-optical applications”, 23rd International Conference on Materials and Technology, 27–30.09.2015, Bernardin, Portoroz, Slovenija
8. Ulieru Dumitru, Participare Conferința si Expoziția Internaționala SEMICON Europa, 6-10.10.2015, Dresda,Germania (organizatori SEMI-Org.USA si Dresden Messe Germania)

It took place the project partners meeting for 2015, at Lisbon, in the period 18-22.06.2015.

The SITEX partner filled a Patent request:
Patent Request SITEX OSIM no 02655/a/j1st june,2015

Project Summary, including: specific innovation objectives and results, needs addressed, impact and potential benefits (up to 1 page)

The purposes of the proposal are the i) design, ii) modeling, iii) development, iv)prototyping of a) nano-structured layers with functional surfaces, b) interdependence between nano-structure and chemical-physical properties and c) ancient and recent thermal history and d) rest of related process parameters for a total new class of boro-phosphate nano-structured materials (nano-structured functional doped boro-phosphate glass) via chemical route, comprising sol-gel, coprecipitation and coacervate obtaining techniques together with new physical techniques, meaning femtosecond laser pulse deposition and treatment and radiofrequency magnetron sputtering. The vitreous matrix will comprise as network formers phosphorus and boron oxide, as modifiers and chemical durability increasers CaO or MgO together with ZnO. For the opto-electronic and magnetic properties small components as dopants will be added, comprising Fe2O3, V2O5, Bi2O3, 1d, 3d, 5d elements or/and rare earth. This complex nano-matrix composition is all new and original. The project proposes as a main research direction, the achievement of a new class of vitreous advanced nano-functional layers and multilayers, with complex magnetic and optical properties, by non-conventional methods. The new chemical and physical methods comparatively to the classical melting of glass have decisive advantages as: rigorous stoichiometric control, high purity of raw materials and of final nano-materials, fine adjusting of the composition in solution and after heat treatment, gain of new well-defined properties controlled by the process parameters, decreasing by hundred degrees of the thermal treatment temperatures, lack of the noxes releasing and high work security.

This proposed project makes an original connection between two domains of materials with special emphasis, boro-phosphate new nano-structured glasses and laser physics regarding functional thin films and nanostructured materials. For the first time we develop the solid film deposition for this new class of materials using laser and magnetic fields. These new nano-materials will be processed with pulse laser (high brightness and very short pulse laser) of 15 TW and the pulse duration of 20-25 fs, which have been recently acquired in INFLPR.

Phosphate and borate glasses are important materials as substrate because they can incorporate high amount of rare earth ions, making them ideal to host material for making compact high gain waveguide lasers and amplifiers for telecommunications window [1-3]. Phosphate glasses demonstrate changes to the glass structure after fs-laser writing that are not good for the fabrication of wave guiding devices. The present researches will focus on how boro-phosphate glasses, as well as specific composition of doped boro-phosphate glass will amplify and improve the properties of special structures induced by using focused femtosecond laser pulses. The project will study the fundamental relationships between the initial composition of boro-phosphate glasses and the structural changes associated with refractive index modification that could be resulting from fs-laser irradiation focusing the results on new prototypes of Faraday rotators and ultra-fast opto-magnetic switching devices design and manufacturing.

Acronym/Short name: MAGPHOGLAS

Proposal Full Name: New doped boro-phosphate vitreous materials, as nano-powders and nano-structured thin films, with high optical and magnetic properties, for photonics

Project Coordinator Name: Bogdan Alexandru Sava
e-mail: savabogdanalexandru@yahoo.com

Contract Authority: UEFISCDI – Executive Unit for Financing Education Higher, Research and Development and Innovation – International Cooperation

Organization: National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics
Country/Region: Romania

Address: 409th Atomistilor street, PO Box MG-36
Tel: 0040728062160
Fax: 0040214574243
Postal code (CEDEX) 077125
City: Magurele, Bucharest
URL: www.inflpr.ro

Total Project Costs (Euro): 455000
Requested Funding (Euro): 370000

Planned Starting date: 01/08/2013
Duration: 36 months
Total personmonths: 124

Call Topic: Design of New Interfaces, Surfaces and Coatings

Keywords: boro-phosphate glass; sol-gel; femtosecond pulse laser deposition; radio-frequency magnetron sputtering; nanostructured thin films.