Effect of SnI2 on the thermal and optical properties of Ge–Se–Te glasses

A systematic series of (Ge20Se15Te65)1−x–(SnI2)x (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) chalcogenide glasses have been prepared. The amorphous nature can be confirmed by XRD and SEM. With the SnI2 content increasing, the indirect optical band gaps are decreased from 0.662 to 0.622 eV according to Tauc laws. The introduction of SnI2 makes the glasses much easier to prepare and more stable against crystallization, making them drawable as optical fibers. The highest ΔT (130 °C) value for (Ge20Se15Te65)0.9–(SnI2)0.1 glass composition can be obtained. A slight red-shifting of the long-wavelength cutting-off edge from 18.4 to 19.4 μm was shown and it seems that SnI2 in these glasses offers the improvement in the far-infrared properties.

► We demonstrate experimentally that the introduction of heavy-metal SnI2 into Te-based chalcogenide glasses.
► We investigate the conspicuous enhancement in thermal stability (ΔT = 130°C).
► We retain the enhanced far infrared transmitting properties.
► They have wide optical transmission from 18.4 to 19.4 μm.