Eutectic Anomaly of Compound Forming Bi–Te Liquids Studied by Electrical Resistivity Measurements

Abstract

The electrical resistivity, ρ, of compound forming Bi–Te system in the liquid state was studied by the dc-four probe method. Anomalous behavior of ρ around the intermetallic compound Bi₂Te₃ in the previous study was not found. Anomalous behaviors of the temperature dependence of ρ, dρ⁄dT, were found both at two eutectic compositions in this system. These behaviors were discussed based on the effective medium theory of electrical conduction. The concentration fluctuation at the eutectic composition (90 at%Te) grows in the homogeneous liquid phase with the approach to the eutectic temperature.