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This thesis investigates Raman spectra of novel glasses and their correlation with structure for Raman gain applications. Raman gain for all-optical amplification by fibers depends significantly on the cross section for spontaneous Raman scattering allowing to compare signal strength and spectral coverage. We also investigate the relationship between glass structure and the Boson peak (enhancement of the low-frequency vibrational density of states) and report new inelastic neutron scattering spectra for niobium-phosphate glasses. Polarization resolved Raman spectra of glasses based on tellurite and phosphate formers have been measured from 6 – 1500 cm-1 using an excitation wavelength of 514 nm. The Tellurite glasses exhibit Raman Spectra at least 10 times more intense, are more spectrally uniform and possess spectral bandwidths more than a factor of two wider than fused silica. Assignments of the vibrational bands are presented and the compositional dependence of the spectra is discussed with respect to the molecular structure. Significantly high Boson peaks were found in the frequency range from 30-100 cm-1. The Raman gain curves were calculated from the polarized spontaneous Raman spectra. In particular, they show broad and flat band in the low frequency region (50-400 cm-1) suggesting that these glasses may be useful for Raman gain applications extending to very low frequencies. The inelastic neutron scattering spectra of the niobium-phosphate glasses display a pronounced low-frequency enhancement of the vibrational density of states. By averaging over the full accessible wavevector range we obtain an approximate spectral distribution of the vibrational modes. Through direct comparison with the Raman spectra we determine the Raman coupling function which shows a linear behavior near the Boson peak maximum. Possible mechanisms contributing to the low frequency Raman band such as disorder-induced irregular vibrational states are discussed.

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are widely used for thermal protection of hot section components in turbines for propulsion and power generation. Applications of TBCs based on a clearer understanding of failure mechanisms can help increase the performance and life-cycle cost of advanced gas turbine engines. Development and refinement of robust nondestructive evaluation techniques can also enhance the reliability, availability and maintainability of hot section components in gas turbines engines. In this work, degradation of TBCs was non-destructively examined by photostimulated luminescence spectroscopy (PSLS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a function of furnace thermal cycling carried out in air with 10-minute heat-up, 0.67, 9.6 and 49.6 - hour dwell duration at 1121°C (2050°F), and 10-minute forced-air quench. TBCs examined in this study consisted of either electron beam physical vapor deposited and air plasma sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) on a variety of bond coat / superalloy substrates including bond coats of NiCoCrAlY and (Ni,Pt)Al, and superalloys of CMSX-4, Rene‟N5, Haynes 230 and MAR-M-509. Detailed microstructural characterization by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy was carried out to document the degradation and failure characteristics of TBC failure, and correlate results of PSLS and EIS. Mechanisms of microstructural damage initiation and progression varied as a function of TBC architecture and thermal cycling dwell time, and included undulation of the interface between the thermally grown oxide (TGO) and bond coats, internal oxidation of the bond coats, and formation of Ni/Co-rich TGO. These microstructural observations were correlated to the evolution in compressive residual stress in the TGO scale determined by PSLS shift. Correlations iv include stress-relief and corresponding luminescence shift towards stress-free luminescence (i.e. = 14402 cm-1 and  = 14432 cm-1 ) associated with subcritical cracking of the TGO scale and stress-relaxation associated with gradual shift in the luminescence towards stress-free luminescence (i.e.  = 14402 cm-1 and  =14432 cm-1 ) is related to the undulation of TGO/bondcoat interface (e.g., rumpling and ratcheting). Microstructural changes in TBCs such as YSZ sintering, TGO growth, and subcritical damages within the YSZ and TGO scale were also correlated to the changes in electrochemical resistance and capacitance of the YSZ and TGO, respectively. With thermal exposure the YSZ/TGO resistance and capacitance increased and decreased as result of sintering and TGO growth. With progressive thermal cycling damages in the TGO was related to the TGO capacitance showing a continuous increase and at failure TGO capacitance abruptly increased with the exposure of bondcoat. Further correlations among the microstructural development, PSLS and EIS are documented and discussed, particularly as a function of dwell time used during furnace thermal cycling test, with due respect for changes in failure characteristics and mechanisms for various types of TBCs

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