Solid solution formation in chalcopyrite systems of the type AgIn X2Ag MIIIX 2 where M = Al, Ga, and X = S,Se

Abstract

Previous ( 1) work on ternary chalcopyrite solid solution formation has shown that the difference in end point axial ratios ( Δc a ) is an important factor in determining the extent of mutual solubility. It was concluded that when Δc a > 0.13 complete solid solubility will not occur. In this work it is shown that complete solid solution formation in the systems AgAlS 2AgInS 2 ( Δc a = 0.111 ), AgGaS 2AgInS 2 ( Δc a = 0.11 ) and AgAlSe 2AgInSe 2 ( Δc a = 0.112 ) does occur. This shows that the value of Δc a = 0.13 as an upper limit for solid solution formation can be approached closely.