The formation and infrared optical properties of some chalcogenide and chalcohalide glasses

Chalcohalide glasses based on heavy metal halides of the systems MnXnAg2SAs2S3 (M=Hg, Pb, Ag, X=Cl, Br,I) and MnXmAs2Se3As2Te3 as well as chalcogenide glasses of the system As(Ge)SeTe have been prepared. Large glass-forming regions have been found for the chalcohalide glasses based on heavy metal iodides. The transparent regions of these glasses were shifted towards longer wavelengths after the addition of HgI2, PbI2 and Te. The absorption peaks caused by oxides and hydrides were weakened or eliminated. The interesting optical properties of these glasses based on heavy metal halides make them candidates for potential applications in the mid-infrared region and for CO2 laser power delivery at 10.6 μm.