Glass formation in the Ge-Se-AgI ternary

The glass-forming region in the GeSe-AgI ternary has been identified, based on the results of X-ray diffraction examinations, electron microscope investigations, Raman scattering studies and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) analysis. Depending on the Ge-Se backbone hosting the AgI clusters, the glasses with larger Se content appear phase separated, while glasses based on Ge-Se face sharing tetrahedra units are quite homogeneous with AgI completing, most probably, a common structure with the Ge-Se backbone. These assumptions are confirmed by the crystal phases emerging from the glasses, spectral and thermal properties as well as the molar volume of the vitreous material. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.