On the explosive semiconductor-semimetal transition of antimony

The transition of antimony from the explosive amorphous phase to the stable crystalline phase has been studied both from an experimental point of view as well as from a theoretical one. The energy released by this transition, is measured to be 24 cal per gram of amorphous Sb and is shown to be related to a variation of the mass density and of the conductivity behaviour of Sb going from one configuration to the other. A simple theoretical model is outlined which quite satisfactory gives the gross features of the free-energy diagram of the above transition, although more deep investigation is needed to account for the energy balance of it. On a étudié d'un point de vue théorique et expérimental la transition de la phase amorpheexplosive à la phase cristalline-stable de l'Antimoine. On a mésuré la chaleur de transition, 24 cal pour gram de Sb amorphe et on a montré sa corrélation avec la variation de densité et de conductivité pendant le changement de phase. Le simple model théorique proposé explique d'une façLon assez satisfaisante le comportement général du diagram de l'énergie libre de la transition, bien que une étude plus détaillée serait nécessaire pour le bilan énergetique.