PROPERTIES OF HG1-XZNXTE SOLID-SOLUTIONS

Hg1-xZnxTe alloys were prepared by inter-diffusion at high temperatures using mixtures of HgTe and ZnTe compounds in the form of compressed powders. The lattice constant was determined using X-ray diffraction measurements and was found to exhibit a linear dependence on x over the entire composition range. Diffused reflectance measurements as a function of wavelength yielded values of the energy bandgap that agree closely with those reported previously on single crystals. The room temperature electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured as a function of x. Intrinsic conduction was found to dominate for 0 < x < 0.3. In this composition range the thermoelectric power was negative due to the high ratio of electron to hole mobilities.