LARGE CHANGES IN THE ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF CHALCOGENIDE GLASSES CONTAINING OXYGEN

For glassy (Cu2/3S1/3)(x)(As2/5S3/5)(1-x) with x=9/19 [Cu6As4S9] the S and Cu atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, the As atoms are three-fo ld coordinated, and there exist only Cu-S and As-S bonds. With the add ition of oxygen to films sputtered at this composition, the activation energy for the conductivity decreases from approximately 0.4 eV to le ss than 0.1 eV and the room temperature conductivity increases from ab out 10(-4) Omega(-1) cm(-1) to greater than 1 Omega(-1) cm(-1). Optica l absorption measurements are consistent with these conductivity resul ts. These results are compared to similar measurements in the Cu-As-Se system.