Roughening Transition and Condensation of Sulphur on Electronic and Ionic Mixed Superionic Conductor α-Ag₂S

Abstract

Experimental observation of the equilibrium and kinetic roughening transitions of α-Ag₂S is shown. The equilibrium transition temperatures for {110} and {100} are 530°C and 480°C respectively. This special growth system with solid/vapor (or liquid) reaction is only applicable to systems of electronic and ionic mixed superionic conductors such as α-Ag₂S. Previous experimental research on the roughening transition was reviewed.
The condensation of sulphur vapor to {110} faces of an α-Ag₂S crystal is also shown. Thin film shows the change of color due to interference of the changing film thickness. Thin film is different from thick film which has bulk liquid properties.