Chapter 32: Problem 4

What are chalcogenide glasses? discuss their uses.

Short Answer

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Chalcogenide glasses are amorphous solids, formed from one or more chalcogen elements and often combined with elements like arsenic, antimony or germanium. They possess unique properties including transparency to infrared light, high refractive indices, and photosensitivity. They are used in various applications, such as infrared optics, in rewritable CDs and DVDs and the fabrication of waveguides for light.

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Defining Chalcogenide Glasses

Chalcogenide glasses are amorphous solids which contain one or more of the chalcogen elements, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, and are usually combined with elements like arsenic, antimony, or germanium. Their name comes from the Greek word 'chalcos,' meaning 'ore' and 'genes,' meaning 'born of, produced from.' These glasses exhibit unique optical properties due to their heavy atoms and low phonon energies.

Discussing Properties of Chalcogenide Glasses

Chalcogenide glasses have several properties that make them unique. These properties include transparency to infrared light, high refractive indices, and photosensitivity. Chalcogenide glasses also have large linear and non-linear refractive indices, low phonon energies, and a sizable third-order non-linearity. They are also known for their moldability and ability to be thermally (reversibly) and photo-structurally (irreversibly) induced to change their shape, volume and refractive index.

Discussing Uses of Chalcogenide Glasses

The unique properties of chalcogenide glasses have led to their use in a variety of applications. One use is in infrared optics, such as in night vision devices. Also, due to their photosensitivity, these glasses are used in rewritable CDs and DVDs. More recently, their potential for use in integrated optics and photonic crystal fibers has been studied. Chalcogenide glasses can also be used to fabricate waveguides for light and are being explored for use in memory devices.

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What are chalcogenide glasses? discuss their uses.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Defining Chalcogenide Glasses

Discussing Properties of Chalcogenide Glasses

Discussing Uses of Chalcogenide Glasses

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