Neutron and X-ray diffraction radial distribution studies of amorphous Ge 0.17Te 0.83

Abstract

Bulk amorphous samples of amorphous Ge 0.17Te 0.83 have been prepared by quenching of small moltens droplets. Radial distribution functions have been constructed from both X-ray and neutron diffraction intensity data. These indicate first neighbor peaks at 2.75 Å and 2.65 Å, respectively, indicating the greater sensitivity of the neutron RDF to atoms pairs containing the smaller Ge atom. The first peak area in both RDF's is not consistent with twofold coordination of the Ge. It can be fit by two types of models. In the first, the Ge is fourfold and the Te twofold coordinated. In the second, the Ge is threefold coordinated, while some Te are threefold and others twofold coordinated. It is shown that both types of models are consistent with RDF's performed on other compositions.