Redetermination of crystal structure of zinc thiogallate

Zinc thiogallate crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I42m with a = 5.297(1), c = 10.363(1)Å. In this space group zinc and gallium are disordered in the 4(d) sites. Most of the AGa2X4 compounds crystallize with the defect chalcopyrite, space group I4 where the A and Ga ions are ordered and half of the A-sites are vacant. The result of this work indicates that disordering of Zn and Ga ions can occur and result in a structure with higher symmetry. All of these compounds transmit in the far infrared and are potential infrared window materials.