Niobium-Barium-Potassium phosphate glass bead

Glass with exceptionally high niobium content: Niobium-Barium-Potassium phosphate glass.

Inspired by the high refractive properties of lithium niobate, I explored a new composition containing 30 mol% Nb₂O₅.

Achieving this was particularly challenging, as niobium oxide typically tends to form crystalline phases. However, by carefully balancing barium and potassium in the right proportions, I successfully produced a glass with an extremely high refractive index und very high density.

The very dense glass beads have an average weight of 2.3 – 2.9g each