The direct determination of the vacancy concentration andP-T phase diagram of Hg_0.8Cd_0.2Te and Hg_0.6Cd_0.4Te by dynamic mass-loss measurements

Abstract

A modified mass-loss measurement technique is employed, for the direct,in- situ determination of the metal vacancy formation in (Hg_1x2212;itxCd _x )_1−y Te _y (s) withx = 0.2 and 0.4. Forx = 0.2, the metal vacancy concentrations are determined between 336 and 660° C for three different compositions(y) within the homogeneity region and range from 2.4 to6.8 x 10¹⁹cm₋₃. The enthalpy of formation of a singly-ionized metal vacancy is derived to be between 0.17 and 0.45 eV depending upon the deviation from stoichiometry (compositiony). Forx= 0.4, three samples of different y-values give the metal vacancy concentrations from 1.9 to 5.5 x 10¹⁹cm⁻³ between 316 and 649° C, and the enthalpy of vacancy formation between 0.25 and 0.40 eV. Compared to the recent data on HgTe(s), these experimental results show a slight but significant decrease in the enthalpy of vacancy formation from HgTe to Hg_0.8Cd_0.2Te, which supports theoretical predictions of the bond weakening effect of Cd for the latter alloy system. Based on the simultaneously determined equilibrium Hg partial pressures within the homogeneity range, the vacancy concentration-partial pressure isotherms are constructed. The Hg partial pressures are also measured along the three-phase boundaries of the solid solutions of bothx = 0.2 and 0.4, and these are in close agreement with published data obtained by optical absorption measurements.