Radiation-induced effects in chalcogenide amorphous semiconductors: On the role of destruction–polymerization transformations

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2013-10, Vol.377, p.46-48
• Main Authors: Shpotyuk, Ya, Shpotyuk, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chalcogenide amorphous semiconductor; Cold working, work hardening; annealing, quenching, tempering, recovery, and recrystallization; textures; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Destruction–polymerization transformation; Exact sciences and technology; Glasses (including metallic glasses); Materials science; Optical constants: refractive index, complex dielectric constant, absorption, reflection and transmission coefficients, emissivity; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Optical spectroscopy; Physics; Radiation-induced effect; Specific materials; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2013.01.054

The role of destruction–polymerization transformations in radiation-induced effects was considered with the example of As–S chalcogenide amorphous semiconductors. It was shown that γ-irradiation leads to a long-wave shift of the fundamental optical absorption edge for stoichiometric As2S3, while no changes were observed in S-rich AsS2 glass. At the same time, the rejuvenation of annealed samples leads to a long-wave shift of the fundamental optical absorption edge for both glasses. These results are explained within a concept of destruction–polymerization transformations by accepting that metastable charged defects are formed owing to radiation-induced switching of covalent bonds. •γ-Induced darkening in glassy As2S3 despite thermal pre-history•Annealed As2S3 glass accumulates γ-irradiation more intensively than the rejuvenated one.•S-rich glassy AsS2 diminishes γ-induced effect.•Rejuvenation effect is opposite to thermally-induced physical ageing.