Ga₂S₃-SnS₂-CsI chalcohalide glasses for mid-infrared Optics

Chalcogenide and chalcohalide glasses have been considered promising host materials for thermal imaging lenses and mid-infrared (MIR) optical fibers. In this paper, a novel Ga2S3-SnS2-CsI chalcohalide glass system, with environment-friendly constituent elements, was proposed. The glass forming region was explored, and the physical properties were investigated. The glasses show high transmittance (>60%) over the 1-12 mu m spectral range and exhibit relatively high microhardness, making them competitive candidates for manufacturing thermal imaging lenses. Furthermore, the MIR emission property of Dy3+-doped Ga2S3-SnS2-CsI glass was also studied. With strong emissions and high quantum efficiencies at 3.00 mu m and 4.38 mu m wavelengths, the glass can be potentially used as gain media for MIR lasers.