Surface migration and volume diffusion in the AgGaSe2-Ag2Se system
Surface migration and volume diffusion in the Ag2Se-AgGaSe2 system were investigated using reactive diffusion couples which were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. The surface diffusivities of all mobile species are found to be much larger than volume diffusivities. The results of the study suggest that Se moves together with Ag and Ga to maintain binary (Ag2Se and Ga2Se3) stoichiometry and electroneutrality. The dominance of surface migration kinetics can account for the uniform annihilation of second-phase precipitates during heat treatments.
Kim, N.-H.↗