The
superexchange interaction on the Faraday effect is investigated
in fluorophosphate glasses following the composition (in mol %) 35NaPO3–15BaF2–0.5(100 – x)TbF3–xREF3) with the levels of substitution x = 0, 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 where RE = Pr, Dy, and Ho. Compositional,
thermal, and optical properties were characterized by electron probe
micro-analysis, density, differential scanning calorimetry, UV–visible
transmission, and Verdet constant measurements, respectively. A precise
control of the elementary composition and substitution is reported.
An increase of Verdet constant for a constant total lanthanide concentration
is observed at low levels of substitution. For glass series co-doped
with praseodymium, holmium, and dysprosium substitution, the maximal
Verdet constant at 600 nm is respectively −84.2, −84.5,
and −84.5 rad T–1 m–1,
comparative to the Verdet constant of Tb singly doped glass of −81.9
rad T–1 m–1. To the best of our
knowledge, it is the first report of this effect in glassy materials
and the first study of Faraday effect in solid materials with such
a broad range of RE substitution. The origin of this phenomenon and
the link between the superexchange interaction and the Zeeman effect
causing the Faraday effect are discussed.