Fragmentary Model of the Atomic Structure of the Ion-Conducting Semiconductor Glass AgGeAsSe3

The atomic radial distribution function of vitreous AgGeAsSe₃, obtained based on the experimental intensity curves taken with monochromatic copper and molybdenum radiation, is interpreted using a fragmentary model in the entire ordering region (~9 Å). It is shown that the glass consists of selenium and selenium-arsenic tetrahedra with germanium and silver atoms inside. The spatial arrangement of such tetrahedra in glass within the ordering region is similar to their arrangement in the GeAsSe and GeSe₂ structures. It is proposed that the “openwork” structure of the fragments of these structures allows the movement of Ag⁺ ions (ionic conductivity) in vitreous AgGeAsSe₃. Fragments of the structure of the ion-conducting compound Ag₂Se are not found in the studied glass.