Growth, structure and thermal properties of CuAl x Ga 1‐x Se 2 alloys

Ingots of the CuAl x Ga 1‐x Se 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) alloys system were prepared by direct fusion of the stoichiometric mixture of the elements. The analysis of X‐ray Powder Diffraction data showed the presence of one single phase with chalcopyrite tetragonal structure at room temperature for all the studied compositions. The lattice parameters, a and c , and the bond lengths were calculated. The phase transition temperatures were obtained by the onset method from Differential Thermal Analysis measurements performed on samples sealed in evacuated quartz ampoules. Fusion or transition enthalpies were determined from the area of the corresponding DTA peak. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)