High-Resolution Structure and Chemistry of CdTe/Te and Facetted Growth Interfaces in Melt-Grown CdTe Crystals
EMSL Project ID
48258
Abstract
Growth instabilities at the solid-liquid interface in CdTe and CdZnTe (CZT) crystals grown from the melt may determine the physical properties of these materials designed for radiation detection by facilitating the formation of Te-particles during solidification. Te-particles in CZT crystals are known to degrade radiation detector performance. The particular degradation mechanisms are not generally known, but we hypothesize that detector degradation depends on the nature and type of the interface between the Te-particles and the CZT or CdTe. This research proposal would advance the state of the art in radiation detection materials science by performing high-resolution imaging and chemical mapping at the Te/CdTe or Te/CZT growth interfaces. This study would be the first of its kind for melt-grown CZT crystals containing Te-particles where the particles are oriented in specific orientations within the CZT crystal. In addition, high-resolution chemical mapping would resolve unanswered questions regarding impurity segregation and chemical gradients at these interfaces. We also suspect that this high-resolution structural and chemical information can help guide improved processing for melt growth by helping us understand the origin of the Te-particles.
Project Details
Start Date
2014-02-10
End Date
2014-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members