First-Time Microwave-Synthesis of As_(40)Se_(60) Chalcogenide Glass: With Potential for Mid-Infrared Photonics

摘要

As_(40)Se_(60) glass is synthesised in <= 35 min via microwave heating in a domestic microwave oven (DMO). The DMO product is compared with arsenic selenide glass made by conventional resistive furnace melting which takes > 30 h to produce homogeneous chalcogenide glass. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction, analytical scanning electron microscopy optical microscopy and differential thermal analysis indicate that the DMO As_(40)Se_(60) has similar properties to those of the conventionally melted As_(40)Se_(60) glass. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and refractive index dispersion show slight differences. The DMO As_(40)Se_(60) glass is patterned, using hot embossing, and is drawn to fibre.