Photo-induced transformations in chalcogenide nanocomposite layers

Abstract

Investigations of photo-induced structural transformations (PST) and related changes of optical parameters in amorphous chalcogenide layers were further developed towards the establishment of their dependence on the compositional modulation of the material at nanoscale-dimensions (∼3–10 nm) and possible improvement of optical recording parameters as well. Besides the known amorphous–amorphous PST, photo-stimulated interdiffusion and crystallization in multilayer structures were found as a useful method for amplitude-phase optical relief formation. The last two types of PST were influenced by size restrictions and efficiently operated by the composition and by the modulation period of the layered nanocomposite. Experimental evidences were obtained in Se-, AsSe-, Se 0.4Te 0.6-containing layered or quasi zero-dimensional structures based on As 2S 3 or SiO x and MgF 2 matrix. Comparison was made with As 2S 3- and GeS 2-based multicomponent layers, containing Se, Te and Ga.