Photoelectrical properties and the electronic structure of Tl(1-x)In(1-x)Sn(x)Se2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25) single crystalline alloys

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 May 14;15(18):6965-72. doi: 10.1039/c3cp50836f. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

Abstract

Photoelectrical properties of Tl1-xIn1-xSnxSe2 single crystalline alloys (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25) grown using the Bridgman-Stockbarger method were studied. The temperature dependence of electrical and photoconductivity for the Tl1-xIn1-xSnxSe2 single crystals was explored. It has been established that photosensitivity of the Tl1-xIn1-xSnxSe2 single crystals increases with x. The spectral distribution of photocurrent in the wavelength spectral range 400-1000 nm has been investigated at various temperatures. Photoconductivity increases in all the studied crystals with temperature. Therefore, thermal activation of photoconductivity is caused by re-charging of the photoactive centers as the samples are heated. Based on our investigations, a model of center re-charging is proposed that explains the observed phenomena. X-ray photoelectron valence-band spectra for pristine and Ar(+)-ion irradiated surfaces of the Tl1-xIn1-xSnxSe2 single crystals have been measured. These results reveal that the Tl1-xIn1-xSnxSe2 single-crystal surface is sensitive to the Ar(+) ion irradiation that induced structural modification in the top surface layers. Comparison on a common energy scale of the X-ray emission Se Kβ2 bands representing energy distribution of the Se 4p-like states and the X-ray photoelectron valence-band spectra was done.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Electrons
  • Indium / chemistry*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Selenium / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • Thallium / chemistry*
  • Tin / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Indium
  • Tin
  • Thallium
  • Selenium