Impact of structural changes of Ge–Sb–Se chalcogenide glasses on their acousto‐optic properties

Abstract Acousto‐optic (AO) devices are known for their high parallel processing capabilities and efficient transduction, essential for real‐time processing systems. As a vital AO medium, chalcogenide glasses exhibit high AO figures of merit (M 2 ), yet high M 2 is often coupled with high acoustic attenuation (α). Thus, to obtain the trade‐off between M 2 and α, a series of x GeSe 2 −(100− x )Sb 2 Se 3 (40 ≤ x ≤ 85) is investigated for their AO properties. When GeSe 2 content reaches 50%, a stable network of [GeSe 4 ] and [Se 2 Sb–Se–SbSe 2 ] units forms, minimizing energy loss and α while maintaining a high M 2 . Compared with conventional AO materials, this composition achieves an exceptional equilibrium between high M 2 and reduced α, offering a distinct advantage in optimizing performance. This unique composition balance provides valuable insights for developing advanced chalcogenide glasses in AO applications.