The Agx(As0.33S0.67)100-x amorphous chalcogenide bulk glasses and films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Pulsed laser deposition has been applied to prepare amorphous ternary Ag-As-S films in one technological step using a KrF excimer laser. The amorphous films were prepared from Ag-x(As0.33S0.67)(100-x), bulk glasses in the range of x(Ag)=0-25 at%. The compositions of the films prepared by pulsed laser deposition were Ag-x(As0.40S0.60)(100-x), bulk glasses in the range of x(Ag)=0-25 at%, i.e. films contained less sulfur than bulk glasses. The index of refraction, n, and glass transition temperature, T-g, increased in the films in comparison to bulk glasses. The index of refraction and T-g of films also increased with increasing silver content. Raman spectra showed the presence of As4S4 structural units in the films. The content of As4S4 structural units also increased with increasing silver content. Such films have unique structures and as such have been not prepared before.