VAPOR-PHASE EQUILIBRIA IN THE CD1-XZNXTE ALLOY SYSTEM

Cd1-xZnxTe compounds of different compositions have been prepared at t emperatures ranging from 400 to 1000-degrees-C by annealing elemental Te in sealed quartz ampoules, in an atmosphere comprising vapors of Cd and Zn whose partial pressures were varied by varying the composition of the binary Cd1-yZny alloys which provided the Cd and Zn vapors in these annealing experiments. The chemical compositions of the resultin g Cd1-xZnxTe compounds have been analyzed using electron probe microan alytical techniques. Results indicate that presence of a 0.5% Zn along with Cd in a closed or semi-closed system may prove to be beneficial in preventing decomposition and/or formation of a metal/non metal phas e during annealing of Cd0.96Zn0.04Te substrates. Using the thermodynam ic data in the literature for the binary Cd1-yZny alloys and with the assumption that the activities of the Cd and Zn components are weakly dependent on temperature, the partial pressures of Cd and Zn in equili brium with the Cd1-xZnxTe compounds at various temperatures have been evaluated.