Borate oxide glass system of composition: 30Y2O - 43B2O3 - 7CuO - 20ZnO where (Y= Li, Na
and K) were prepared using the melt-quenching technique. Some physical properties were
studied; such as X-ray diffraction, density, UV-Visible transmission spectra, ESR and FTIR. The
density was measured by Archimedes method and the molar volume was calculated. It is found
that density and the molar volume show opposite trend. The optical transmission was measured
in the spectral range of 200–1100 nm. Some optical properties were determined. The
characterized parameters of these filters, i. e. area, center, width, height and full wave at half
maximum (FWHM) of band pass, have been estimated. These parameters have been found to be
dependent on the alkali type. FTIR spectral studies indicate the presence of triangular and
tetrahedral borate structural units. The absorption band observed in the wavelength region 550
nm in these glasses and is the characteristic of Cu2+ ions. ESR studies suggest that Cu2+ ions inter
into the lattice as copper divalent state.