Optical properties of amorphous films

We have analyzed the optical properties of a-Ge_30-xSb_xS₇₀ chalcogenide glass films (x=0,10,20 and 30 at%); the chalcogenide films were prepared by vacuum thermal evaporation. The optical-absorption data indicate that the absorption mechanism is non-direct transition. We found that the optical band gap, E_opt, decreases from 2.04±0.01 to 1.74±0.01 eV, whereas the refractive index increases with increasing Sb content. Data are analyzed by the Wemple equation, which is based on the single-oscillator model.