This book reviews techniques used to characterize non-linear optical constants of chalcogenide glasses in bulk or thin films, and presents the properties of many chalcogenide systems. A range of applications of these glasses are surveyed, including ultra-fast switching, optical limiting, second harmonic generation and electro-optic effects. Also addressed are suitability of chalcogenide films in all-optical integrated circuits, fabrication of rib as well as ridge waveguides and of fiber gratings.

The unique properties and functionalities of chalcogenide glasses make them promising materials for photonic applications. Chalcogenide glasses are transparent from the visible to the near infrared region and can be moulded into lenses or drawn into fibres. They have useful commercial applications as components for lenses for infrared cameras, and chalcogenide glass fibres and optical components are used in waveguides for use with lasers, for optical switching, chemical and temperature sensing and phase change memories. Chalcogenide glasses comprehensively reviews the latest technological advances in this field and the industrial applications of the technology.Part one outlines the preparation methods and properties of chalcogenide glasses, including the thermal properties, structure, and optical properties, before going on to discuss mean coordination and topological constraints in chalcogenide network glasses, and the photo-induced phenomena in chalcogenide glasses. This section also covers the ionic conductivity and physical aging of chalcogenide glasses, deposition techniques for chalcogenide thin films, and transparent chalcogenide glass-ceramics. Part two explores the applications of chalcogenide glasses. Topics discussed include rare-earth-doped chalcogenide glass for lasers and amplifiers, the applications of chalcogenide glasses for infrared sensing, microstructured optical fibres for infrared applications, and chalcogenide glass waveguide devices for all-optical signal processing. This section also discusses the control of light on the nanoscale with chalcogenide thin films, chalcogenide glass resists for lithography, and chalcogenide for phase change optical and electrical memories. The book concludes with an overview of chalcogenide glasses as electrolytes for batteries.Chalcogenide glasses comprehensively reviews the latest technological advances and applications of chalcogenide glasses, and is an essential text for academics, materials scientists and electrical engineers working in the photonics and optoelectronics industry. - Outlines preparation methods and properties, and explores applications of chalcogenide glasses. - Covers the ionic conductivity and physical aging of chalcogenide glasses, deposition techniques for chalcogenide thin films, and transparent chalcogenide glass-ceramics - Discusses the control of light on the nanoscale with chalcogenide thin films, chalcogenide glass resists for lithography, and chalcogenide for phase change optical and electrical memories

Cutting-edge techniques for yielding high-quality chalcogenide glasses This pioneering work describes the technology, developed over a 50-year period, to utilize chalcogenide glasses as infrared optical materials. Methods for qualitatively identifying chalcogenide glass compositions and producing high-purity homogeneous glass are discussed. Chalcogenide Glasses for Infrared Optics includes unique production techniques developed through the author's work at both Texas Instruments (TI) and Amorphous Materials, Inc. (AMI). The production of vacuum float zoned silicon, gallium arsenide, and cadmium telluride, all useful in infrared technology, is explained. The book highlights examples of how glass composition can be changed to enhance a particular property. Coverage includes: Transmission of light by solids Physical properties of chalcogenide glasses Glass production Careful characterization of glass properties Conventional lens fabrication--spherical surfaces Molding of unconventional aspheric lenses with diffractive surfaces Glass processes for other applications IR imaging bundles made from chalcogenide glass fibers Production of infrared crystalline materials at AMI Development of an automatic ellipsometer system at TI

The earliest experimental data on an oxygen-free glass have been published by Schulz-Sellack in 1870 [1]. Later on, in 1902, Wood [2], as well as Meier in 1910 [3], carried out the first researches on the optical properties of vitreous selenium. The interest in the glasses that exhibit transparency in the infrared region of the optical spectrum rose at the beginning of the twentieth century. Firstly were investigated the heavy metal oxides and the transparency limit was extended from (the case of the classical oxide glasses) up to wavelength. In order to extend this limit above the scientists tried the chemical compositions based on the elements of the sixth group of the Periodic Table, the chalcogens: sulphur, selenium and tellurium. The systematic research in the field of glasses based on chalcogens, called chalcogenide glasses, started at the middle of our century. In 1950 Frerichs [4] investigated the glass and published the paper: “New optical glasses transparent in infrared up to 12 . Several years later he started the study of the selenium glass and prepared several binary glasses with sulphur [5]. Glaze and co-workers [6] developed in 1957 the first method for the preparation of the glass at the industrial scale, while Winter-Klein [7] published reports on numerous chalcogenides prepared in the vitreous state.

This book provides introductory, comprehensive, and concise descriptions of amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors and related materials. It includes comparative portraits of the chalcogenide and related materials including amorphous hydrogenated Si, oxide and halide glasses, and organic polymers. It also describes effects of non-equilibrium disorder, in comparison with those in crystalline semiconductors.

This is introductory book for researchers, scientists and students in the area of organic and inorganic composite materials. This book has addressed timely the innovative topic "chalcogenide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes and chalcogenide-bilayer graphene" composite materials under a glassy regime. This book will give a clear idea on the concepts of the newly established composite materials area, by providing interpretations of inside physio-chemical mechanism. The remarkable landmark innovations related to this newly introduced research field are included in this book. Additionally, the possible futuristic applications in the area of nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, biomedical etc are also addressed.

This book introduces readers to a wide range of applications for elements in Group 16 of the periodic table, such as, optical fibers for communication and sensing, X-ray imaging, electrochemical sensors, data storage devices, biomedical applications, photovoltaics and IR detectors, the rationale for these uses, the future scope of their applications, and expected improvements to existing technologies. Following an introductory section, the book is broadly divided into three parts—dealing with Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium. The sections cover the basic structure of the elements and their compounds in bulk and nanostructured forms; properties that make these useful for various applications, followed by applications and commercial products. As the global technology revolution necessitates the search for new materials and more efficient devices in the electronics and semiconductor industry, Applications of Chalcogenides: S, Se, and Te is an ideal book for a wide range of readers in industry, government and academic research facilities looking beyond silicon for materials used in the electronic and optoelectronic industry as well as biomedical applications.