Experimental investigation and thermodynamic calculation of the Ge–In–Sb phase diagram

Abstract

Phase diagram of the Ge–In–Sb ternary system was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) methods. Experimentally obtained results were compared with the results of thermodynamic calculation of phase equilibria using calculation of phase diagram (CALPHAD) method and literature data.Phase transition temperatures of alloys with overall compositions along three selected vertical sections Ge–In0.5Sb0.5, In–Ge0.5Sb0.5, and Sb–Ge0.5In0.5 were measured by DTA. Two ternary eutectic reactions, one quasi-binary eutectic reaction and liquidus temperatures were experimentally determined and compared with the results of thermodynamic calculation.Identification of coexisting phases in samples equilibrated at 400 °C and 550 °C were performed using SEM–EDS and XRD methods. Obtained results were compared with calculated isothermal sections of the Ge–In–Sb ternary system at associated temperatures.Calculated liquidus projection and invariant equilibria of the Ge–In–Sb ternary system was presented.