Optical properties of Ag- and AgI-doped Ge–Ga–Te far-infrared chalcogenide glasses.

Te-based glasses are ideal material for life detection and infrared-sensing applications because of their excellent far-infrared properties. In this study, the influence of Ag- and AgI- doped Te-based glasses were discussed. Thermal and optical properties of the prepared glasses were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results show that these glass samples have good amorphous state and thermal stability. However, Ge–Ga–Te–Ag and Ge–Ga–Te–AgI glass systems exhibit completely different in optical properties. With an increase of Ag content, the absorption cut-off edge of Ge–Ga–Te–Ag glass system has a red shift. On the contrary, a blue shift appears in Ge–Ga–Te–AgI glass system with an increase of AgI content. Moreover, the transmittance of Ge–Ga–Te–Ag glass system deteriorates while that of Ge–Ga–Te–AgI glass system ameliorates. All glass samples have wide infrared transmission windows and the far-infrared cut-off wavelengths of these glasses are beyond 25 μm. The main absorption peaks of these glasses are eliminated through a purifying method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]