Structural, thermal and optical studies of Eu3+ ion doped Ge₂₂As₂₀Se₅₈ glass

Abstract

The effect of Eu3+ doping on improving the amorphous nature of commercial chalcogenide glass/ChG (Ge22As20Se58), which is typically used as a molded lens for mid-infrared imaging, has been investigated. The observed absence of bright spots in Transmission Electron Microscope-Selected area (electron) diffraction (TEM-SAED) pattern confirmed the doping-induced amorphous nature of Eu-Ge22As20Se58 glass. The thermal studies over glass transition temperature (Tg) using DSC technique also revealed that Eu doping has increased the amorphous nature along with the thermal stability of Ge22As20Se58 glass. The optical analysis using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy showed that the activity of Eu-doped ChG has been extended across the UV-visible region. Tauc plot derived band gap energy of Eu-doped and undoped ChG is found to be 2.2 and 2.6 eV, respectively.