Electronic, optical, and vibrational properties of an AgAlS2 crystal in a high-pressure phase

Abstract

The aim of this study is to comprehensively examine the structural composition and properties of the AgAlS2 crystal during its high-pressure phase. This analysis delves into the second coordination environment of the crystal structure and elucidates the distinct transformations it undergoes during the phase transition. The band energy structure was calculated, and the origin of electronic levels was clarified. It is shown that the crystal becomes non-stratified during the phase transition. This study also determined the values of the crystal’s carrier effective masses, underscoring its spatial anisotropy. It was found that the calculated optical functions are similar to the crystal in the chalcopyrite structure, and their differences are shown. Further, this study involved the calculation of the crystal’s phonon spectrum, revealing the spectrum’s transformation during the phase transition. The vibrational frequencies were also obtained, with a symmetrical classification of vibrational modes. Finally, this study derived the infrared and Raman spectra of the AgAlS2 crystal, thereby providing a comprehensive picture of the crystal during its high-pressure phase. --//-- This is an open access article: Rudysh, M.Y.; Fedorchuk, A.O.; Brik, M.G.; Grechenkov, J.; Bocharov, D.; Piskunov, S.; Popov, A.I.; Piasecki, M. Electronic, Optical, and Vibrational Properties of an AgAlS2 Crystal in a High-Pressure Phase. Materials 2023, 16, 7017. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16217017 published under the CC BY 4.0 licence.