Second harmonic generation in surface crystallized 30GeS2 · 35Ga2S3 · 35AgCl chalcohalide glasses

The infrared transmitting surface crystallized chalcohalide glasses containing nontoxic and excellent nonlinear optical AgGaGeS4 crystallites were fabricated by heat-treatment of the as-prepared 30GeS2 · 35Ga2S3 · 35AgCl chalcohalide glass at 350 °C (Tg −10 °C) for 24 h. An intensive second harmonic generation (SHG) was observed clearly using the Maker fringe technique, and the origin of SHG was mainly ascribed to the AgGaGeS4 nonlinear optical crystallites contained in the surface crystallized layer. The thickness of the surface crystallized layer showing SHG activation is approximate 50 μm. The χ(2) susceptibility of the prepared surface crystallized 30GeS2 · 35Ga2S3 · 35AgCl chalcohalide glass is calculated to be about 12.4 pm/V at a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm, which indicates a promising nonlinear optical material in the infrared spectral region.