Scanning photoelectron microscopy study of the laser-induced transformations of polycrystalline CdTe films

We have used pulsed-laser treatment to provide highly localized chemical re actions in the near-surface region of polycrystalline CdTe thin films. Usin g scanning photoelectron microscopy, the lateral changes in the composition and morphology of the films as a function of the irradiation conditions an d of the distance from the center of the laser beam were characterized. Res ults show that the films undergo thermal-induced heterogeneity in the morph ology and in the lateral distribution of the elements and chemical phases d ue to local melting and dissociation of the film. This transformation leads to a local increase of the conductivity and enrichment with elemental Te. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)02107-1].