Reversible photodarkening of amorphous arsenic chalcogens

Illumination with bandgap light induces changes in physical properties of many chalcogenide semiconductors. Fundamental aspects of strike reversible photodarkening (the light-induced red-shift in the optical absorption edge) in arsenic-chalcogen glasses are critically reviewed. For understanding pho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 1991, Vol.130 (2), p.111-143
Main Authors: Pfeiffer, Gerd, Paesler, M.A., Agarwal, S.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
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
Physics
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Summary:Illumination with bandgap light induces changes in physical properties of many chalcogenide semiconductors. Fundamental aspects of strike reversible photodarkening (the light-induced red-shift in the optical absorption edge) in arsenic-chalcogen glasses are critically reviewed. For understanding photodarkening at the microscopic level, details of the changes in the atomic structure that accompany the shift in the absorption edge are of particular importance. Study of the structural changes by a variety of techniques has revealed a phenomenon rich in basic physics but has not led a coherent picture of the underlying microscopic mechanism. Application of advanced experimental probes providing more detailed structural information has clarified some of the fundamental changes in the atomic structure and their relation to changes in the electronic and mechanical properties. Modifications in short-range and intermediate-range order accompany photodarkening. The changes in short-range order in the form of increased AsAs bonding are very small and probably do not play a predominant role in the changes in the electronic structure. Evidence suggests that the primary effect of the light-induced changes is the modification of intermediate-range correlations.
ISSN:0022-3093
1873-4812
DOI:10.1016/0022-3093(91)90449-G