Nonoxide chalcogenide glasses as infrared optical materials.

In recent years, glassy systems based on the group VI A elements S, Se, or Te in combination with group IV A and group V A elements or V A elements alone, have been investigated as potential sources for new iroptical materials. The results obtained in the qualitative evaluation of glasses from many systems reported in the literature are given. Several specific compositions from different glass systems have been prepared in amounts large enough to allow quantitative evaluation of optical and related physical properties. The magnitudes of the parameters that describe the properties of chalcogenide glasses are discussed and compared to those of other ir optical materials. The methods currently used to compound the glass compositions are given and problems associated with fabrication are briefly discussed. Three potential sources of limited quantities of chalcogenide glasses are given.