Crystal growth and investigation of CuAlxGa1-xTe2 solid solutions

Alloys of CuGaTe2-CuAlTe2 system have been synthesized by a one-temperature method and homogenized by annealing. It was established for the first time by X-ray and DTA methods that a continuous row of solid solutions is formed in the system. Large block crystals of CuAlxGa1-xTe2 solid solutions have been grown by Bridgman method (horizontal version). Measurements of density, microhardness and thermal expansion have been carried out on the grown crystals. It has been established that the density and thermal expansion coefficients are changed linearly with composition, and that the microhardness has a maximum at x=0.6.