Glass formation and properties of novel GeS2–Sb2S3–In2S3 chalcogenide glasses

Novel chalcogenide glasses based on GeS2–In2S3–Sb2S3 system were prepared by conventional melt-quenching method and their physicochemical properties, e.g. glass transition temperature, density, and Vickers micro-hardness, were studied in detail. The results show that the thermal, mechanical, and optical properties depend largely on four-coordinated Ge or In entities and are sensitive to the variation of the connectivity in the GeS2–In2S3–Sb2S3 glass network. It is a promising chalcogenide glass system suitable for rare earth doping or crystallization of rare earth doped crystals, which aims at optical applications of IR optical amplifier or efficient solid state laser.

► The glass formation of novel GeS2–Sb2S3–In2S3 chalcogenide glasses is determined. ► Increasing Sb2S3 will enlarge the transmitting windows of the novel material. ► The addition of In2S3 has a positive effect on the glass mechanical properties. ► We discussed the changes of physicochemical properties and micro-structure.