Chalcogenide glasses like traditional glasses can transmit and focus light. They can be polished and shaped in lenses and bulk optics, drawn into optical fibres, deposited as thin and thick films and extruded and slump moulded. However, unlike conventional glasses, and more akin to semiconductors and crystals, chalcogenides can also actively interact with photons and electrons. This combination of passive and active properties makes it unique among optical and electronic materials.
Uses of these glasses include laser power delivery for a variety of aerospace and medical applications, through to the use of glass and optical fibre, infrared lenses and windows.
Chalcogenides offer active properties, allowing the glass properties to change through various mechanisms:
Photosensitivity
Acousto-Optics
Electro-Optics
Nonlinearity
In addition, there exists widespread interest in new, relatively unexplored applications. Emerging applications include optical data storage using phase change or holography, photonic crystal waveguides and a range of chemical and biological sensors.
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