Simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and diffusivity of Se₈₀Te_20-xIn_x (x = 2, 4, 6 and 10) chalcogenide glasses at room temperature

Abstract

Measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of twin pellets of Se₈₀Te_20-xIn_x (x = 2, 4, 6 and 10) glasses, prepared under a load of 5 tons were carried out at room temperature using transient plane source (TPS) technique. The measured values of both thermal conductivity and diffusivity were used to determine the specific heat per unit volume of the said materials in the composition range of investigation. Results indicated that both the values of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity increased with the addition of indium at the cost of tellurium whereas the specific heat remained almost constant. This compositional dependence behaviour of the thermal conductivity and diffusivity has been explained in terms of the iono-covalent type of bond which In makes with Se as it is incorporated in the Se-Te glass.