PNNL

Abstract

Optical properties and structural aspects of AsxS100-x glasses from visible to terahertz wavelengths were explored. A series of annealed, bulk AsxS100-x glasses (x = 30 to 42) were made and their refractive indices determined at terahertz, infrared, and visible frequencies using a combination of a quasi-optical backwards wave oscillator spectrometer for terahertz measurements and a prism coupler for visible and infrared measurements. It was found that refractive index at all frequencies increases with arsenic composition up to 40 atomic % arsenic then decreases with additional arsenic. Structure in x-ray diffraction patterns support the notion of a minimum volume at 40 atomic %, while the average covalent coordination number indicates the rigidity percolation threshold is reached there. At As concentrations > 40 atomic %, the network becomes over-constrained, the molar volume increases.