TY - JOUR A1 - Kienle, L. A1 - Duppel, V. A1 - Lembke, G. A1 - Mogwitz, B. A1 - Janek, J. A1 - Kreutzbruck, Marc A1 - Simon, A. T1 - Microstructure and magnetoresistance of heterogeneous gold-rich Ag3Au1.1Te2 JF - Solid state sciences N2 - Dispersions of very small non-magnetic metal particles or inclusions in a non-magnetic semiconductor matrix are well known to produce unusually large and linear magnetoresistance effects. So far these materials were limited to the binary silver-rich chalcogenides Ag2Se and Ag2Te. In this contribution Ag3AuTe2 was selected as a first candidate for a ternary matrix material, thus offering enhanced capabilities for the generation of heterogeneous microstructure and spatially varying composition on the nanoscale. In gold-rich Ag3Au1.1Te2 two kinds of inhomogeneities are present, namely Au deposits with a size on the micron scale and an inhomogeneous distribution of Au and Ag within the matrix. The matrix consists of micron-sized grains with the structure type of Ag3AuTe2 as studied by electron microscopy. Like the binary silver chalcogenide phases, the material also shows a large and linear magnetoresistance effect. The transversal magnetoresistance effect was measured between 20 K and 270 K in magnetic fields up to B = 5 T. The results are discussed on the basis of existing models for a large and linear positive MR effect. KW - Petzite KW - Magnetosensor KW - Electron microscopy KW - Nonstoichiometry KW - Magnetoresistance PY - 2010 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2010.07.029 SN - 1293-2558 SN - 1873-3085 VL - 12 IS - 10 SP - 1770 EP - 1778 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-22281 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -