Transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics

The present review article covers the history, featured properties and modern state of inorganic, physical and materials chemistry of transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics. The subjects discussed include the preparation methods for these materials (e.g., synthesis from starting glass and/or amorphous matrices, devitrification, etc.), comparative description of their spectral and luminescent properties, formation of rare earth-containing nanofluoride phases in oxide glass matrices by oriented attachment mechanism, distribution of dopants in oxyfluoride glass ceramics as well as the practical application of the latter materials.