X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Si–As–Te Chalcogenide Glasses Prepared in the Earth's Gravity and in Microgravity

Abstract

The electronic structure of Si9As14Te21 chalcogenide glasses prepared in the Earth's gravity and in microgravity are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS spectra of the two types of glasses are generally similar at low core energy levels, but exhibit distinct differences at higher core electron energies and energy levels close to the Fermi level. It is found that a chemical shift towards lower binding energies occurs for the Te 4d level and a chemical shift towards higher binding energies occurs for the As 3d level for both types of glasses. The chemical shifts are, however, considerably larger for the space-made glass than for its terrestrial-made counterpart. The smaller chemical shift of Te 4d and As 3d energy levels might be evidence of the existence of Te clusters in the terrestrial-made glass.