Investigation on synthesis, growth, structure and physical properties of AgGa0.5In0.5S2 single crystals for Mid-IR application

Silver Gallium Indium Sulfide (AgGa0.5In0.5S2) belongs to the family of AIBIIIC2VI ternary compound semiconductors which crystallize in the chalcopyrite structure. Synthesis of the polycrystalline material from the starting elements is achieved using melt temperature oscillation method. The AgGa0.5In0.5S2 single crystals have been grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. The synthesized AgGa0.5In0.5S2 polycrystalline charge was confirmed by powder XRD. The peak positions are in good agreement with the powder diffraction file. Thermal property was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The melting point of the crystal is 896 °C and freezing point is 862 °C. The unit cell parameters were confirmed by single crystal X-ray. The transmittance of the grown crystal is 55% in the NIR region and 60% in the mid-IR region. The optical band gap was found to be 2.0 eV. The stoichiometric composition of AgGa0.5In0.5S2 was measured using energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The photoluminescence behavior of AgGa0.5In0.5S2 has been analyzed. The resistivity of the grown single crystal has been measured.