NSF-Europe: Evaluation of the Optical and Electrical Properties of Oxychalcogenide Glass Materials

无机硫族玻璃（ChG）是光学和电学应用的有希望的候选者，因为它们在关键光谱区域中具有优异的透明度，广泛变化（可调）的电学性质，并且适合于片上制造工艺。 然而，它们的长期稳定性往往是不可接受的。 我们的研究团队最近的努力表明，这种限制可以通过用氧部分取代主要硫族元素（S或Se）来克服。 初步数据表明，这种氧硫族化物（OChG）玻璃的关键光学性质可优于终端ChG或氧化物玻璃组合物。 在拟议的NSF-欧盟计划中，三个美国研究团队与两个法国研究中心合作，将合作合成和评估这些新OChG材料的光学和电学特性。 该计划旨在（i）保持ChG的吸引力特征，但混合氧化物中发现的有益属性;（ii）创建具有改进的机械，热和传输特性以及长期稳定性的玻璃;（iii）利用与氧取代相关的光学和电学修饰的关键知识，以生产适合光致修饰的材料，从而产生新型器件结构。 待评估的玻璃组合物包括改性的GeO2-GeS2组合物和Ag掺杂的：OChG;对于光学应用，将这些材料与其母体氧化物和ChG材料进行比较;对于锂电池应用，将评估硫代氮化物和硫代氮氧化物。将评估所得OChG的光敏性和使用光诱导的结构变化进一步增强性能的潜力。 成功的候选散装材料将以薄膜和纤维的形式转移使用。研究人员在玻璃科学，化学和光学科学方面的专业知识，带来了教育推广和指导的良好记录，预计国际学生和教师团队将向合作双方提供关键的科学和技术知识，同时促进我们已建立的国际合作的成功。 材料研究部（陶瓷）和国际办公室（西欧）将支持这项计划，该计划涉及来自中央佛罗里达大学光学学院、爱荷华州州立大学和利哈伊大学的研究人员，以及法国波尔多和雷恩大学的研究人员。

Inorganic chalcogenide glasses (ChG's) are promising candidates for both optical and electrical applications as they possess excellent transparency in key spectral regimes, widely varying (tunable) electrical properties and are amenable to on-chip manufacturing processes. However, their long-term stability is often unacceptable. Recent efforts by our research team have suggested that such limitations can be overcome by the partial replacement of the primary chalcogen (S or Se), with oxygen. Preliminary data suggest that key optical properties of such oxy-chalcogenide (OChG) glasses can be superior to terminal ChG or oxide glass compositions. In the proposed NSF-EU program, three U.S. research teams in partnership with two French research sites will collaborate to synthesize and evaluate the optical and electrical properties of these new OChG materials. The program aims to (i) maintain the attractive features of ChG's but blend the beneficial attributes found in oxides; (ii) create glasses with improved mechanical, thermal and transport properties and long-term stability; (iii) utilized key learnings in optical and electrical modifications associated with oxygen substitution to produce materials amenable to photo-induced modification resulting in novel device structures. Glass compositions to be evaluated include modified GeO2-GeS2 compositions and Ag doped:OChG; these materials will be compared to their parent oxide and ChG materials, for optical applications; thio-nitride and thio-oxynitrides will be evaluated for Li:battery applications. Resulting OChG will be assessed for their photosensitivity and the potential for further enhancement of properties using light-induced structural changes. Successful candidate bulk materials will then be transferred to use in film and fiber form.The assemblage of glass science, chemistry and optical science expertise among the researchers, brings a proven track record of educational outreach and mentoring, and it is expected that the international team of students and faculty will extend key scientific and technological know-how to both sides of the partnership, while furthering the success of our established international collaboration. The Division of Materials Research (Ceramics) and the International Office (Western Europe) will support this program involving researchers from the University of Central Florida School of Optics, Iowa State University and Lehigh University working with researchers at the Univeristies of Bordeaux and Rennes in France.