Crystallization kinetics of novel multifunctional glasses for IR photonics

POSTER

Abstract

Chalcogenide glasses (ChG) are an efficient medium for applications in modern photonics: combining high IR transparency, excellent fiber-drawing capability, and the largest optical nonlinearities reported to date. Nanomodifications of ChG could open the possibility of designing hybrid-materials, combining two or more useful properties in one functional medium. In this regard, several elements are found to modify ChG at the nanoscale. Rare-earth dopants are able to enhance the properties of ChG, allowing for applications as an active medium for optical sensors, lasers, optical amplifiers, and broad band sources in the mid-IR spectral range. In this work, we report thermal stability and crystallization kinetics studies for glasses of the Bi$_{\mathrm{x}}$Ga$_{\mathrm{y}}$(GeSe$_{4})_{\mathrm{50-(x+y)/2}}$(GeTe$_{4})_{\mathrm{50-(x+y)/2}}$ family, which are anticipated to be used as a host matrix with the potential to combine multiple features in one medium. Crystallization of at least three different phases is identified using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Dietzel criterion of glass stability is determined, and the activation energies for each crystallization process are calculated. The applicability of the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) relation to describe the crystallization kinetics is verified using J. Malek's approach.

Authors

  • Leo Saturday

    Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy

  • Roman Holovchak

    Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea