Determination of homogeneity regions of lead telluride

The region of PbTe homogeneity is determined by the method of ''freezed equilibria'' with further determination of the content of a dissolved component (tellurium or lead) by a direct physico-chemical method. Maximum extent of the homogeneity region in the direction of lead excess is shown to be ∼ 1.8x10-4 g-at Pb/g-at PbTe, and in the direction of tellurium excess - ∼ 6.4x10-4 g-at Te/g-at PbTe. This difference can be explained by transition some proper point defects to an electrically non-active form during crystal cooling