Rapid Preparation of CuInS₂ Bulk Polycrystals by Two-Step Microwave Heating Process Using a Domestic Microwave Oven

Abstract

CuInS 2 bulk polycrystals have been prepared from stoichiometric mixtures of the elements in rapid time scales using a domestic microwave oven. The growth procedure involves a direct synthetic reaction and a succeeding melt solidification with the assistance of a CuO microwave heater. This leads to the successful preparation of homogeneous and densified CuInS 2 crystals having n -type conductivity. The photoluminescence spectra of these crystals at 9 K exhibit sharp emission lines corresponding to free-exciton, bound-exciton and donor-to-valence-band emissions.