LAUSR

Abstract The refractive indices ( n ) and thermo-optic coefficients ( ζ ) of Ge 14 As x Se 86 − x and Ge x As 12 Se 88 − x glasses are measured in the 2–12 μm mid-infrared range. The composition dependences of the two parameters are investigated and strategies for tailoring them are proposed. The density ( d ) shows a maximum at the stoichiometric composition when Ge content is fixed; while it exhibits a minimum at the mean coordination number (  r  >) of 2.67 when As concentration is fixed. The volume thermal expansion coefficient ( β ) broadly decreases with increasing  r  >. Two semi-empirical relations are used to predict n and ζ from the glass composition. The n of a Ge-As-Se glass could be predicted with an error of d of the glass and the molar refractivity ( R i ) of the constituent elements. The estimated values of R i for Ge, As and Se between 2 and 12 μm range from 10.12–10.52, 11.71–11.91, and 11.17–11.25 cm 3 /mol, respectively. The ζ of a Ge-As-Se glass could be forecasted with an error of β of the glass and the thermal coefficients of the molar refractivity ( φ i ) of the constituent elements. The estimated values of φ i for Ge, As and Se between 2 and 12 μm range from 26.2–26.7, 54.9–55.7 and 85.4–86.8 ppm/K, respectively.