Wavelength dispersion of Verdet constants in chalcogenide glasses for magneto-optical waveguide devices

Abstract

The wavelength dispersion of the Verdet constants of bulk As–S, As–Se–S, Ge–As–Se and Ga–La–S-based chalcogenide glasses has been investigated at wavelengths between 675 and 1550 nm. Ge₃₃As₁₂Se₅₅ was found to have the highest Verdet constant, 0.0485 min/G.cm at 1550 nm, 30 times that of silica. The high Verdet constant of Ge₃₃As₁₂Se₅₅ is related to its smaller band gap energy compared with the other glasses. Further improvement of the Verdet constants of the Ge–Se-based chalcogenide glasses by engineering their compositions could make them promising materials for integrated magneto-optical devices.