Chalcogenide glass materials are a unique class of amorphous compounds composed primarily of chalcogen elements such as sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te), often combined with other elements like arsenic (As), germanium (Ge), and antimony (Sb). These materials exhibit exceptional optical, electrical, and thermal properties, making them indispensable for advanced photonics, infrared optics, and phase-change memory applications.
Our Chalcogenide Glass Materials Portfolio
| Sulfides | Selenides | Tellurides |
|---|---|---|
| Al2S3 | Ag2Se, Al2Se3 | Bi2Te3, BiSbTe |
| Bi2S3 | Bi2Se3, BiTeSe | CdTe |
| CdS, Ce2S3, CoS2, Cu2S | CaSe, CdSe | GaTe, Ga2Te3 |
| FeS, FeS2 | EuSe | GeTe, Ge2Te3, GeSbTe |
| HfS2 | GeSe2 | HfTe2 |
| In2S3 | HfSe2 | Li2Te |
| Ga2S3, GeS, GeS2 | Li2Se | In2Te3 |
| Li2S | MoSe2 | MoTe2 |
| MoS2 | NbSe2 | NbTe2 |
| SiS2, SnS2 | PbSe | PbTe |
| TaS2, TiS2 | SnSe, SnSe2 | SnTe |
| WS2 | WSe2 | WTe2 |
| ZnS, ZrS2 | ZnSe, ZrSe2 | ZnTe, ZrTe2 |
Chalcogenide Glass vs. Germanium: What Sets Them Apart?
Compared to germanium, chalcogenide glass offers several distinct optical advantages. It exhibits a much broader infrared transmission window, especially in the 2–20 μm range, whereas germanium becomes opaque beyond ~14 μm. Additionally, chalcogenide glass has a higher refractive index range (1.7–2.4) and significantly lower dispersion, making it highly suitable for chromatic aberration correction and athermal optical design.
Moreover, chalcogenide glass shows exceptional nonlinear optical properties due to its polarizable constituents, enabling applications in supercontinuum generation and tunable photonic devices—capabilities that germanium lacks. Its thermal and chemical stability in challenging environments, along with precision molding compatibility, further strengthen its position in infrared optics and mass-manufactured IR components, surpassing germanium in versatility and cost-effectiveness for many optical systems.
As a phase-change material, chalcogenide glass exhibits reversible transitions between amorphous and crystalline states, accompanied by significant changes in electrical resistance and refractive index. It offers high optical contrast, fast switching speed (in the nanosecond range), non-volatility, and excellent cycling endurance. These properties make it highly suitable for advanced applications such as high-speed non-volatile memory, tunable photonic devices, infrared imaging, and stealth technologies, showcasing its unique value in integrated optoelectronic systems that combine control, storage, and responsiveness.
Applications of Chalcogenide Glass Materials
Chalcogenide glass offers high optical transparency and low dispersion, making it ideal for infrared fiber optics. Its ability to transmit signals beyond 3 μm wavelengths makes it essential in long-wavelength optical communication. It is also widely used in optical waveguides and components within communication systems.
Chalcogenide glass is a promising material for solid-state lasers due to its high laser damage threshold and excellent optical properties. It is used in high-power and ultrafast lasers, including optical modulators for advanced optical communication and spectroscopy.
With excellent infrared transmittance, chalcogenide glass is used to produce IR lenses, windows, mirrors, and imaging systems. It plays a key role in infrared imaging, spectroscopy, and thermal detection technologies.
Chalcogenide glass is used in biomedical optics for fluorescence imaging, cell tracking, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Its fibers are also applied in photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. Additionally, it shows potential in drug delivery and biosensing applications.
Chalcogenide glass materials are at the forefront of infrared optics and photonics, offering unmatched transparency, tunability, and design flexibility across a broad infrared spectrum.
Explore our product portfolio or contact us today to find the ideal chalcogenide glass solution for your application.
