Optical properties of lithium borate glass (Li2O)x (B203)1_x

A series of (Li20)x(B203)1-x has been synthesized with mole fraction x=0.10, 0.15,020,025 and 0.30 mol% using melt quenching method. The structure of the glass system was determined by FTIR and X-ray diffraction. The density and molar volume were determined and the density increases with Li20 content whereas molar volume decreases with Li20. Refractive index of glass samples were measured by ellipsometer. Refractive index increases with increase of Li20. The absorption spectra of the studied glass showed that position of fundamental absorption edge shifts to longer wavelength with Li20. Optical band gap varies from 0.10 to 222 eV and Urbach energy varies from 2.91 to 1.55 eV. The variation in optical band gap and Urbach energy were due to the variation in the glass structure