Nanoscale Inhomogeneities Mapping in Ga-Modified Arsenic Selenide Glasses

Abstract

Nanoscale inhomogeneities mapping in Ga-modified As2Se3 glass was utilized exploring possibilities of nanoindentation technique using a Berkovitch-type diamond tip. Structural inhomogeneities were detected in Gax(As0.40Se0.60)100−x alloys with more than 3 at.% of Ga. The appeared Ga2Se3 nanocrystallites were visualized in Ga-modified arsenic selenide glasses using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The Ga additions are shown to increase nanohardness and Young’s modulus, this effect attaining an obvious bifurcation trend in crystallization-decomposed Ga5(As0.40Se0.60)95 alloy.