Applications of chalcogenide glasses in integrated and fiber optics (review)

This review deals with applications of glassy chalcogenide semiconductors in fiber and integrated optics. The physicochemical properties of chalcogenide glasses are discussed in detail. It is shown that they are promising materials for fiber-optic communication lines operating in the near infrared and particularly in the middle infrared range. The problems of using the optical memory effect for some integrated-optics components, optical fibers, and waveguide holograms are considered. The optical strength of components made of glassy chalcogenide semiconductors is also discussed.