Phase transitions in the system GeTe-Ag2Te-Sb2Te3

By the methods of dilatometric and X-ray analyses the phase transitions in (GeTE)sub(1-x) [(Sbsub(2)Tesub(3))sub(y)(Agsub(2)Te)sub(1-y)]sub(x) alloys depending on Ag2Te and Sb2Te3 additions content, relation between them and temperature are investigated. It is shown that the change in the relation between Sb2Te3 and Ag2Te towards the increase of Sb2Te3 content contributes to the decrease of stability of rhombohedral α-phase and stabilization of cubic β-modification. The performed crystallochemical analysis has shown that this phenomenon can be concerned with the increase of the degree of germanium cations substitution by larger multiplecharge antimony ions contributing to intensification of interpacket interaction in the α-phase structure as well as with the growth of vacancies concentration in a cation sublattice decreasing the stability of Ge-Te two-layer packets