ACTA

First-Principles Calculations of Structural, Electronic, Optical, and Thermodynamic Properties of CdS, CdTe and Their Ternary Alloys CdS_1-xTe_x (0.0 ≤ x ≤1.0)

M. Ameri^a, S. Mesbah^a, Y. Al-Douri^b, B. Bouhafs^c, D. Varshney^d and I. Ameri^e
^aLaboratory Physico-Chemistry of Advanced Materials, University of Djillali Liabès, P.O.B. 89, Sidi-Bel-Abbès, 22000, Algeria
^bInstitute of Nano Electronic Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 01000 Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia
^cLaboratoire de Modélisation et Simulation en Sciences des Matériaux, Université Djilali Liabès, Sidi-Bel-Abbès, 22000, Algeria
^dMaterials Science Laboratory, School of Physics, Vigyan Bhavan, Devi Ahilya University, Khandwa Road Campus, Indore 452001, India
^eUniversity of Djillali Liabès, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Physics, P.O.B. 089, Sidi-Bel-Abbès, 22000, Algeria

Received: February 27, 2013; Revised version: October 31, 2013; In final form: December 31, 2013

Full Text PDF

Using first-principle method, we investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties of the CdS_1-xTe_x semiconductor alloys using generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation potential calculation. The ground state properties are determined for the bulk materials (CdS and CdTe) in cubic phase. Quantities such as the lattice constants and bulk modulus of interest are calculated. Detailed comparisons are made with published experimental and theoretical data and show generally good agreement. The calculated lattice constants scale linearly with composition (Vegard's law). The microscopic origins of the bowing parameter were explained using the contributions from volume deformation, charge transfer and structural relaxation approach. The refractive index and optical dielectric constant for the alloys of interest were calculated by using different models. In addition, the thermodynamic stability of the alloys was investigated by calculating the critical temperatures of alloys.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.125.1110
PACS numbers: 31.15.E-; 63.20.dk; 04.25.-g; 78.66.Hf; 73.61.At