Properties and structure of Ag-doped As₂Se₃ glasses

Ag-doped As₂Se₃ glasses were prepared by the melt-quenching method and the influence of silver doping on the glass structure and optical properties was studied using Raman and UV-Vis-IR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. For Ag concentrations less than 15 at%, introduction of Ag into As₂Se₃ glasses mainly leads to the formation of Ag-Se covalent bonds, resulting in destruction of the glass network. This manifests itself by a decrease in the glass transition temperature and low frequency shifts in the As-Se Raman band. When the Ag concentration was higher than 25 at%, some Ag atoms exist in the glass matrix as coordinative bonds, resulting in a slight increase in the glass transition temperature and high frequency shifts in the Raman peaks. The relationship between the glass structure and properties is discussed.