Phase relations in the Cu2Si(Ge, Sn)Te3-HgTe systems

The Cu2Si(Ge,Sn)Te3-HgTe systems were investigated using differential thermal , X-ray phase and microstructural analysis. Existence of quaternary Cu2HgSiTe4 and Cu2HgGeTe4 phases, which melt congruently at 898 and 805 K respectively, have been established in Cu2SiTe3-HgTe and Cu2GeTe3-HgTe systems. The Cu2HgSiTe4 phase is a part of solid solution on the basis of Cu2SnTe3 in Cu2SnTe3-HgTe section. The solid solution on the basis of Cu2SiTe3 contains 7 mol% HgTe and the one on the basis of Cu2GeTe3 contains 12 mol% HgTe. The solid solubility in HgTe at 670 K is 2.5 mol% Cu2SiTe3, 4 mol% Cu3GeTe3 and 5.5 mol% Cu2SnTe3. (author)