Crystal Properties as Influenced by Crystallographic Imperfection (Cadmium Telluride).

The report consists of two parts. Part 1 reports a chemical-mechanical approach for generating damage-free and highly specular surfaces on single crystal and polycrystalline cadmium telluride and zinc selenide. The polishing agent is a clear solution of potassium bromide, sodium hypochlorite, sodium carbonate and water. Polishing is achieved by forming a reaction product on the primary surface, removing the reaction product, and exposing a new and fresh primary surface for continuing chemical action. Large perfect surfaces are thus obtained. Part 2 is concerned with the application of transmission electron microscopy, x-ray topography, and precision lattice parameter measurements to the characterization of cadmium telluride. New specimen preparation techniques were developed making the application of such techniques to the characterization of cadmium telluride possible. The defect structure of cadmium telluride crystals is resolved. Major defects are dislocation and tellurium inclusions. Measurement of lattice parameter, x-ray density, and thermal coefficient of expansion of CdTe are reported. Author