New Non-Oxide Glasses for Optical Waveguiding

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe first generation of infrared optical waveguides operating in the mid I.R. region 0.3 to 4 μm is made from fluoride glasses based on zirconium tetrafluoride. A new family of vitreous materials based on indium fluoride appears to be also promising candidate. The state of art in the field including performances and limitations of these optical fibers will be described. A new class of heavy halide glasses based on tellurium chloride, bromide or iodide is presented in relation with their large optical transmission range covering the 8–12 μm region. First attempts in fiber preparation and planar waveguides deposition will be discussed and compared with the traditional chalcogenide glasses.