This book reviews techniques used to characterize non-linear optical constants of chalcogenide glasses in bulk or thin films, and presents the properties of many chalcogenide systems. A range of applications of these glasses are surveyed, including ultra-fast switching, optical limiting, second harmonic generation and electro-optic effects. Also addressed are suitability of chalcogenide films in all-optical integrated circuits, fabrication of rib as well as ridge waveguides and of fiber gratings.

Photonics, whichusesphotonsforinformationandimageprocessing, islabeled as one of the technologies of the 21st century, for which nonlinear op- cal processes provide the key functions of frequency conversion and optical switching. Chalcogenide glasses are based on the chalcogen elements S, Se, and Te. These glasses are formed by the addition of other elements such as Ge, As, Sb, Ga, etc. These glasses are low-phonon energy materials and are generally transparentfromthevisibletoinfrared.Chalcogenideglassescanbedopedby rare-earth elements such as Er, Nd, Pr, etc., and hence numerous applications...