Removal of OH groups in Er3+-doped phosphate glasses by reaction atmosphere process

Er3+-doped phosphate glasses with, various concentrations of OH groups were fabricated. The effects of technological parameters on result of Reaction Atmosphere Process were investigated. The dehydrate process was discussed by thermodynamic theory of open system. The results show that the dehydration reagent in the bubbling gas is the main dynamic force of dehydration reaction, and the OH groups are removed rather rapidly at the initial stage. Elevating temperature and increasing bubbling flux can conduce to the increase of dehydration efficiency. The rate of dehydration in the glass melt is affected by ' cage effect ' - The dehydration rate is controlled by the probability of forming encounter twins between OH and CCl4.