Phase Transformation of As2Se3 and Sb2Se3 Films

Abstract

Films of As₂Se₃ and Sb₂Se₃ and their mixtures have been studied by electron microscopy and diffraction. On heating amorphous As₂Se₃ films no change occurs, but the Sb₂Se₃ films and mixtures of Sb₂Se₃ and As₂Se₃ transform to give small single crystals. These crystals have their c axes parallel to the substrate and give mainly (010) and (100) planes normal to the beam. Rate of nucleation is independent of temperature, indicating nucleation from predetermined nucleation centers. Growth rate increases with increasing temperature, but involves very little migration of material, implying that surface migration is very slow.