By using the magneto-optical and transmission-ellipsometric methods, g
iant anisotropy in both optical and magneto-optical properties was fou
nd for the single crystal Cd1-xMnxTe (x = 0.45). Two orthogonal axes E
(perpendicular to) and E(parallel to), were in the (113) plane, and al
ong the [<(4) over bar 7> <(1) over bar>] and [<21 (1) over bar>] dire
ctions, respectively. The crystal has two refractive indexes of n(perp
endicular to) and n(parallel to) and can be made a zero-field retarder
. Not only the micro twin crystalline structure but also possibly the
order replacement of Cd2+ by Mn2+ with induced lattice distortion thro
ugh the whole body of the crystal along the [111] orientation can caus
e the optical and magneto-optical anisotropy. Both transmission-ellips
ometric and magneto-optic Faraday rotation spectra located peaks at th
e same similar to 2 eV E(Mn) position, that was in the gap between the
conduction and valence bands. In discussion, E(Mn) was attributed to
the optical transition of Te p --> Mn d(down arrow). A better understa
nding of Cd1-xMnxTe anisotropy will reveal further the behavior of Mn2
+ that can account for the properties of the crystal. Copyright (C) 19
96 Elsevier Science Ltd.