Patent attributes
A chalcogenide glass composition composed of arsenic (As), selenium (Se), sulfur (S), and antimony (Sb) is presented. The composition includes arsenic in the range from 25% to 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, selenium in the range from 40% to 65% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, sulfur in the range from 2% to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and antimony in the range from 0% to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The variability of constituents on a weight basis is greater than the related arts, thus facilitating a broader range of design options. The glass composition is preferred to have a thermal expansion coefficient of about 23.6×10−6/° C., a temperature coefficient of refractive index less than about 1×10−6/° C., a glass transition temperature less than 200 degrees Celsius, and/or a glass softening temperature less than 250 degrees Celsius. The present invention has immediate applicability within infrared sensors, infrared imaging devices, lasers, and fiber optic components, one example being amplifiers.
