Fabrication and Microstructure of Ge-Sb-S-CsCl Chalcogenide Glass Containing β-GeS2 Nanocrystals

Abstract

we report the fabrication and microstructure of Ge-Sb-S-CsCl chalcogenide glass containing β-GeS2 nanocrystals. A Ge-Sb-S-CsCl chalcogenide base glass with the better crystalline ability is first fabricated by melt-quenching method, and a further careful thermal process has led to the formation of β-GeS2 nanocrystals in the glass. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the size of β-GeS2 nanocrystals with nearly monodisperse spherical shape ranges from 30 to 45 nm in the glass. Powder X-ray diffraction results confirm that the β-GeS2 nanocrystals are of high crystallization with orthorhombic phase. Energy dispersive spectroscopy is employed for the information of nanocrystals glass composition. It is worthwhile to note that the obtained Ge-Sb-S-CsCl chalcogenide glass containing β-GeS2 nanocrystals still keeps higher transmittance in mid- and far- infrared spectral region.