Formation of SnS2 nanocrystals in amorphous (As2S3)1–x(SnS2)x films studied by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Amorphous (As2S3)1–x(SnS2)x films with x up to 0.055 were prepared by thermal evaporation and studied by Raman spectroscopy. For the films with x ≥ 0.04 Raman measurements at increased laser power density indicate the formation of SnS2 nanocrystals in the course of the measurement. The nanocrystals are formed due to a drastic drop of the glass viscosity and photoenhanced diffusion of atoms in the laser spot. Although this process is generally governed by a nonthermal mechanism, it is shown that thermal effects also contribute to the mechanism of formation of SnS2 nanocrystals in the amorphous films.