Chapter 3 - Regular Solutions

Abstract

The regular solution model for the consideration of the binary and multicomponent semiconductor alloys with the zinc blende, wurtzite, and rock salt structures is described in this chapter. Separation of the degrees of freedom forms the basis of the regular solution model. All regular solutions are presented as the canonical ensembles. The partition functions of the canonical ensembles are the products of the internal and configurational partition functions. Only the configurational partition functions depending on the arrangements of atoms are taken into account in the considerations. Ternary and quaternary semiconductor alloys of binary compounds with the crystal structure having one mixed sublattice are described as regular solutions of the molecules of the constituent compounds. These alloys represented as regular solutions are considered also by using the formalism of the canonical ensemble. It is shown that such ternary and quaternary alloys with the zinc blende, wurtzite, and rock salt structures are equivalent from the regular solution model standpoint.