Growth and properties of Hg_1-x Cd_x Te epitaxial layers

The growth of epitaxial layers of mercury-cadmium-telluride (Hg_1-xCd_xTe) with relatively low x (0.2-0.3) from Te-rich solutions in an open tube sliding system is studied. The development of a semiclosed slider system with unique features permits the growth of low x material at atmospheric pressure. The quality of the films is improved by the use of Cd_1-yZ_yTe and Hg_1-xCd_xTe substrates instead of CdTe. The substrate effects and the growth procedure are discussed and a solidus line at a relatively low temperature is reported. The asgrown epitaxial layers are p-type with hole concentration of the order of 1·10¹⁷ cm^-3, hole mobility of about 300 cm²·V^-1 sec^-1 and excess minority carrier life-time of 3 nsec, at 77 K.