Dependence of the refractive index of transparent ZrO2–SiO2 aerogels on the density and zirconium content

摘要: Abstract In this work ZrO2–SiO2 aerogels with ZrO2 content of 3, 6 and 10 mol. % in the form transparent blocks were synthesized using sol-gel method. The possibility introducing into a SiO2 aerogel without considerable decline optical characteristics material was shown for first time. Aerogel samples studied by several techniques including UV–Vis, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy nitrogen adsorption, refractive index determined beam tests (“Extracted beams” VEPP-4M complex). It that addition to increases increasing density. For time, obtaining highly acceptable radiator Cherenkov detectors has been demonstrated. This result makes it possible achieve high indices production increase their performance.