Poster: Heat Treatment Optimization of GAP-Se Glass as a route to Gradient Refractive Index (GRIN) Applications

Chalcogenide (ChG) glasses (containing S, Se, Te) are used for their robust and broadband optical properties across the infrared (IR) spectrum. The optimization of crystal phases in Ge-As-Pb-Se (GAP-Se) glass can be done through careful heat treatments. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD), particular nucleation and growth temperatures for crystal growth are identified. This is done by analyzing a theoretical 0°C/min heating rate in the thermal analysis to identify the temperatures. By optimizing the high-index PbSe phase, we can spatially control the refractive index. By understanding this, we provide a route to the creation of gradient refractive index (GRIN) glass applications through the use of laser writing.