Behavior of Gold in Cadmium Telluride Crystals

Abstract

The kinetic behavior of gold atoms in cadmium telluride single crystals has been studied at temperatures above and below 600°C. The diffusion coefficient was determined over the temperature range of 600°∼1000°C using autoradiographic technique by diffusing radioactive gold into cadmium telluride. The relationship between temperature and volume diffusion coefficient is found to be D=67exp(−2.0 eV⁄kT) cm²/sec. At temperatures below 400°C, the hole concentration in gold-doped crystals is observed to decrease by heat treatment, according to an equation N=N₀exp(−t⁄τ), where τ is a time constant dependent on temperature and dislocation density. It is shown that the experimental results are interpreted by the terms of the segregation of gold atoms to α and/or β 60° edge dislocations.