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

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 run. 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. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.