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In this study GeXAsySe100x+y glasses with 0lesx 0.1 dB/cm for Ge > 33% (Ge33As12Se55) at 1550 nm. A modified Z-Scan technique was developed to measure the nonlinear refractive index (n2) at 1500 nm. The conventional closed aperture is replaced by an InGaAs camera to image the output beam. Image analysis is done using Lab VIEW software and the on axis transmission is measured and extracted as a Z-scan.

The ‘Photonics Explorer’ is a unique intra-curricular optics kit designed to engage, excite and educate secondary school students about the fascination of working with light – hands-on, in their own classrooms. Developed with a pan European collaboration of experts, the kit equips teachers with class sets of experimental material provided within a supporting didactic framework, distributed in conjunction with teacher training courses. The material has been specifically designed to integrate into European science curricula. Each kit contains robust and versatile components sufficient for a class of 25-30 students to work in groups of 2-3. The didactic content is based on guided inquiry-based learning (IBL) techniques with a strong emphasis on hands-on experiments, team work and relating abstract concepts to real world applications. The content has been developed in conjunction with over 30 teachers and experts in pedagogy to ensure high quality and ease of integration. It is currently available in 7 European languages. The Photonics Explorer allows students not only to hone their essential scientific skills but also to really work as scientists and engineers in the classroom. Thus, it aims to encourage more young people to pursue scientific careers and avert the imminent lack of scientific workforce in Europe. 50 Photonics Explorer kits have been successfully tested in 7 European countries with over 1500 secondary school students. The positive impact of the kit in the classroom has been qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. A non-profit organisation, EYESTvzw [Excite Youth for Engineering Science and Technology], is responsible for the large scale distribution of the Photonics Explorer.

Physics outreach usually consists of appealing and fun demonstrations outside of the classroom, but Amrita Prasad and Hugo Thienpont argue that only "educational outreach" can have a deep impact on students' interest in science.

Chalcogenide glasses are important amorphous semiconductors used for phase-change memories, solar cells and in photonics. Here I will review their photonic applications with an emphasis on new glasses for high speed all-optical signal processing.