Photovoltaic, photoelectric and optical spectra of novel AgxGaxGe1−xSe2 (0.167 ≤ x ≤ 0.333) quaternary single crystals

Abstract In this paper, we report on the photovoltaic, photoelectric and optical properties of Ag x Ga x Ge 1− x Se 2 single crystals ( x  = 0.333; 0.25; 0.20; 0.167). Investigation of optical and photoelectric parameters of Ag x Ga x Ge 1− x Se 2 samples was carried out at different temperatures in the range 77–300 K. A large energy band gap (2.15–2.23 eV) for different values of x at T  = 300 K and p-type conductivity make the titled Ag x Ga 1− x Ge 1+ x Se 6 crystals as promising materials for substrates in heterojunctions based on wide-binary chalcogenide semiconductors A 2 V 6 (their analogies), which have n-type conductivity. For the fabricated crystals, comparison of the thermoelectric conductivity measurements is performed. Role of intrinsic defects is also discussed.