A Review of Amorphous Chalcogenides as Materials For Infrared Bulk Acousto-Optic Devices

Abstract

The range of chalcogenide glasses with good acousto-optic (AO) properties has recently been extended to cover the 10.6μm operating wavelength. This review puts these recent developments into context. The theoretical background to the selection of materials for AO bulk devices is presented with emphasis on the amorphous chalcogenides. The specific AO properties of sulphide, selenide and selenide-telluride glasses are discussed, with particular reference to: AO figure of merit, refractive index, acoustic velocity, density, acoustic attenuation and optical attenuation.