From the analysis of the Urbach tail in ${\mathrm{CuInSe}}_2$ and ${\mathrm{CuInTe}}_2,$ it is found that the energy $h{\nu }_p$ involved in the electron–exciton-phonon interaction is not that of the ordered compound longitudinal or transverse optical modes. It is established that this energy depends on the structural and cations disorders. An expression of the form $E_U\mathrm{}(T,P,N)=K\Theta /{\sigma }_0\{\mathrm{}(1+P)/2+N\left[\exp \right(\Theta /T)-1{]}^{-1}\},$ where P and N are adjustable structural and order-disorder parameters and $\Theta$ the Einstein characteristic temperature, accurately explains the temperature dependence of the Urbach energy. From extrapolation of the linear variation of N and P with $h{\nu }_p,$ the phonon energy for a completely ordered and disordered systems can be estimated. We discuss the physical meaning of the parameter N as due to the contribution of localized modes produced by substitutional disorder of low energy of formation. We find an intriguing relation between the temperature of the chalcopyrite-sphalerite transition and the phonons contributing to the formation of Urbach tails in the strong-disorder limit.

• Received 31 January 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.64.195101