Structure of amorphous Ge alloy films

Structural details of amorphous alloy films of Ge with Al, Cu and Fe up to 30 at.% metal concentrations have been studied. As determined by the electron diffraction studies, the short range order in these alloy films is essentially similar to that of amorphous (a-)Ge films. Electron microscopy and electrical resistivity measurements show that the concentration of voids and associated dangling bonds in a-Ge is reduced considerably on alloying. It is concluded from these studies that the metal atoms are accommodated in the tetrahedral network of a-Ge