Voltage and temperature sensing applications of silver-doped GE₁₇Te₈₃

Abstract

This paper reports measurements that show silver-doped amorphous chalcogenide (Ge₁₇Te₈₃) is a promising material for sensing voltage and temperature and at frequencies >1 kHz, it can be used as a voltage-variable capacitor (varactor). The bidirectional and nearly-linear behaviour of itsC–V plot, obtained at relatively low operating voltages, makes silver doped chalcogenide superior to conventional varactors (reverse-biased p-n diodes) which are normally used in integrated circuits. At lower frequencies <1 kHz, the a.c. resistance of the doped sample displayed sensitivity not only to voltage but also to temperature. Such a property makes the doped material useful for devices used in biasing and automatic-gain-control circuits.