Evolution of Pb_1-xCd_xTe Solid Solution Structure at High Temperatures

Abstract

The recent successful growth of single, bulk Pb1−xCdxTe crystals by self-selecting vapor transport method at the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw opened new opportunities to study the physical properties of this interesting material in detail. In this work we report the preliminary results of X-ray powder diffraction studies performed on a set of Pb1−xCdxTe solid solutions (where x ≤ 0.056) at high temperatures (295 K ≤ T ≤ 1100 K) and analyzed with the Rietveld refinement. Our results demonstrate the necessity of some correction of the relevant phase diagram and of the solubility limit, known from the literature.

Inelastic X-Ray Scattering Studies of Phonon Dispersion in PbTe and (Pb,Cd)Te Solid Solution

“…The single crystals of (Pb,Cd)Te solid solution containing 2% of CdTe as well as pure PbTe were grown by SSVG method at the Institute of Physics PAS [8][9][10][11]. The structure quality of samples and the chemical composition of the (Pb,Cd)Te solid solution were determined by X-ray powder diffraction utilizing X'Pert Philips (PANalytical) diffractometer and the Cu K α1 radiation.…”

“…However, CdTe is a semiconductor crystallizing in the zinc blende structure and the difference in PbTe and CdTe crystal symmetry for many years was a reason for serious difficulties in a growth of (Pb,Cd)Te solid solution. Recent successful growth of big, metastable (Pb,Cd)Te crystals with the RS structure by self-selecting vapour growth (SSVG) method in the Institute of Physics PAS changed this situation [8][9][10][11]. Due to the application of SSVG technique solid solution containing up to 12% of CdTe can be obtained in the form of single crystals with the volume exceeding 1 cm 3 .…”

The Young Modulus and Microhardness Anisotropy in (Pb,Cd)Te Solid Solution Crystallizing in the Rock Salt Structure and Containing 5% of Cd

“…Since 2009 several physical properties of these crystals have been both investigated and reported (see, e.g., [11][12][13][14]). Quite recently, we have examined selected mechanical properties of this particular semiconductor.…”

Hardening of (Pb,Cd)Te Crystal Lattice with an Increasing CdTe Content in the Solid Solution

“…Some results obtained using these crystals can be found in [10,11]. The aim of present studies of the (Pb,Cd)Te solid solution was to analyse in a more systematic manner the crystal lattice hardening resulting from an increasing doping.…”