A Fourier-transform photoluminescence study of radiative recombination mechanism in chalcogenide glasses

In this paper, we report photoluminescence (PL) studies carried out using Fourier-transform method in glassy Se (a-Se) and Ge-based Ge20Se80 and Ge20Se70Te10 glasses. It was observed that the PL spectra of a-Se as well as that of Ge-based glasses exhibit fine features. The details of these fine features are extracted by deconvoluting the experimental spectra and are explained based on phenomenological defect models. Utilizing the deconvoluted information, the radiative recombination transitions occurring at ‘valence-alternation pairs’ are distinguished from those occurring at ‘intimate valence-alternation pairs’ and are illustrated with the help of a configurational coordinate diagram representation.