On the mass transport properties of the GeSe-GeI4 system under normal and reduced gravity conditions

Abstract

With respect to the mass spectrometric observations by Buchan and Rosenberger, our earlier mass transport rate studies of the GeSe-GeI4 system are re-evaluated considering the presence of GeSe(s) and GeSe2(s) phases in the source material. The previously derived dominance of the sublimation of GeSe at lower ( ⪅ 0.05 atm) and of chemical vapor transport at higher ( ⪆ 0.1 atm) pressures of GeI4 has also been concluded from the current analysis of the transport system. The nature of the dominant CVT process(es) is apparently different from that proposed earlier, and is not known at this time. The experimentally observed flux anomalies are independent of a given model. The limitations of the previous and current models for the GeSe-GeI4 system are discussed.