Thermodynamics of the structural changes in the liquid Ge–Te system around the Te-rich eutectic composition

Abstract To clarify the thermodynamics of the structural changes in a liquid Ge–Te alloy around the Te-rich eutectic composition (15 at.% Ge), detailed measurements of the molar volume, sound velocity and specific heat measurements were performed. The crossover temperature manifested by a sharp extremum in those thermodynamic quantities takes a maximum around the eutectic composition where the peak width becomes most narrow. The structural changes are discussed in connection with the thermodynamic fluctuations.