Low loss properties of the phase change material Sb₂S₃ were demonstrated in the mid-IR. Chalcogenide optical phase change materials feature large, nonvolatile refractive index modulation upon reversible amorphous-crystalline phase transition, a unique capability that has already enabled a wide range of reconfigurable photonic devices. Investigation of their optical performances in the context of mid-IR integrated photonics, however, has been scarce to date. A group of scientists from France and Australia have explored Sb₂S₃, a low-loss phase change material with a large index contrast of 0.8 to 1.0 in the mid-IR according to their ellipsometry measurements. They further demonstrate integration of the material with SiGe waveguides and show exceptionally low excess loss introduced by Sb₂S₃ at less than 1 dB/cm for both amorphous and crystalline phases within the wavelength range of 3.3 to 3.9 microns. These findings prove that Sb₂S₃ can be a promising material candidate for mid-IR reconfigurable photonics.

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