New chalcogenide glasses in the GeSe2–Ga2Se3–In2Se3 and GeSe2–Ga2Se3–PbSe domains

Two new chalcogenide glassy domains were explored by substituting Ga for In or Pb in compositions from the GeSe2–Ga2Se3 tie line in the Ge–Ga–Se ternary diagram. The thermal, optical and mechanical properties of these glasses were determined and the effect of the substitutions on these properties was assessed. It is shown that addition of lead tends to destabilize the glasses while the addition of indium tends to stabilize them. Both elements induce a systematic increase in the onset of transmission values and in the densities when substituted to gallium. The glasses synthesized represent good potential candidates for the production of glass-ceramics with photovoltaic or nonlinear properties.