By using radiotracer and sectioning techniques, it was established that the volume diffusion coefficients of Ag were 1.5 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than the surface diffusion coefficients for polished samples. The data for Ag bulk diffusion in p-type PbTe could be described by:

D(cm2/s) = 1.86 x 10-3exp[-0.89(eV)/kT]

while the data for congruently evaporating PbTe samples could be described by:

D(cm2/s) = 5.33 x 10-6exp[-0.42(eV)/kT]

The diffusion coefficients for Ag in PbTe with p-type conductivity appeared to be weakly dependent upon the partial pressure of the vapor constituents which were in equilibrium with the solid phase at 700C. The results could be described by:

log[D(cm2/s)] = -7.91 - 0.384log[PTe]

and

log[D(cm2/s)] = -6.93 + 0.031log[PTe]

for n-type PbTe and p-type PbTe, respectively, with PTe the partial pressure of Te2.

L.P.Firsova: Neorganicheskie Materialy, 1994, 30[2], 176-8 (Inorganic Materials, 1994, 30[2], 169-71)