DYNAMICS OF LASER-INDUCED SYNTHESIS OF ZNSE

Results of a study of laser-induced synthesis of ZnSe from a stack of elemental layers are presented. The process is traced by real-time, si multaneous measurement of both reflectivity and transmission of the ir radiated thin films, Numerical solution of the thermal conductivity eq uation reveals that synthesis may develop al and above a well-defined threshold temperature. which is set by the melting of selenium, Furthe r, it is shown that the whole process comprises three independent succ essive steps: interlayer mixing (or alloying), chemical reaction (i.e. , formation of an amorphous compound), and crystallization of that com pound. Among other findings, this analysis shows that large atom trans port velocities (in mm/s) are necessary to account for the extremely s hort duration of the mixing step. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physi cs.