First principle investigations of the optical properties of Zn1-xMgxS, Zn1-xMgxSe and Zn1-xMgxTe ternary alloys

Abstract

Optical properties of Zn 1-x Mg x S , Zn 1-x Mg x Se and Zn 1-x Mg x Te (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ternary semiconductor alloys are calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave within the density functional theory. The exchange correlation potential is treated by the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within Perdew et al. scheme. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function ε(ω), the refractive index n(ω), the extinction coefficient k(ω), the optical absorption coefficient α(ω), the reflectivity R(ω) and the electron energy loss function (EELS) are calculated within random phase approximation (RPA). Our results are compared with the previous theoretical calculations and available experimental data. Moreover, the interband transitions responsible for the structures seen in the spectra are specified. It is shown that, the chalcogen p states as initial and Zn 4s, Mg 3s, chalcogen d states as final states perform the major role in optical transitions.