Combining Ultrafast Calorimetry and Electron Microscopy: Reversible Phase Transformations in SeTeAs Alloys

Reversible amorphous crystalline phase transitions are studied using complementary ultrafast differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy techniques, which together allow a wealth of thermal and structural properties to be determined. The SeTe(As) system is investigated because these chalcogenide based materials have favorable properties as a phase-change memory material and in optical systems. Using calorimetry, we find that the addition of 10 at. % As to SeTe alloys strongly increases their glass forming ability, increasing both glass transition and crystallization temperatures while reducing critical quench rate. Ex situ investigation of SexTe90-xAs10 using electron microscopy and elemental mapping reveals a two-phase lamellar segregation mechanism, where a trigonal SeTe-phase and an amorphous As-rich phase are formed. These findings demonstrate the power of combining thermal and structural analysis techniques.