Behaviour of Ga in PbTe

The effect of alloying of PbTe with gallium on the reaction of Ga with Te in PbTe and on the type of conduction was studied. The specific electrical conductivity, thermal e.m.f., specific heat conductivity, Hall effect, microhardness of specimens of the Ga-alloyed PbTe alloy was investigated on annealed specimens at room temperature. The results obtained suggest that Ga atoms in PbTe alloys can occupy a symmetric or asymmetric position with respect to the lattice points. Investigation into the concentration . of the current carriers, thermal e.m.f., specific electrical and heat conductivities and microhardness of gallium-alloyed PbTe alloys in relation to the composition, annealing temperature and compression confirmed this assumption