Composition-Temperature-Partial Pressures Data for Cd(sub 0.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te by Optical Absorption Measurements
Known weights of Cd, Zn and Te were reacted in silica optical cells of known volume and the partial pressure of Te2 and Zn between 485 and 1160 C were determined by measuring the optical density of the vapor in the ultra-violet to visible range. The composition of the condensed phase or phases was calculated from the original weights and the amount of material in the vapor phase. The corresponding composition - temperature - partial pressures, x(sub Te)-T-P(sub Te2), data, including five Te-rich solidus points, were established. The solubility range for the Te-rich Cd(sub 0.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te(s) is similar to that of CdTe(s) with x(sub Te) = 0.50005 at 809 C and an estimated maximum solubility of x(sub Te) = 0.50012 at about 1000 C. The partial pressure of Cd and Te(sub 2) measured over the Cd(sub 0.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te melt at 1140 C were about 1.55 and 0.02 atm, respectively, and the corresponding P(Sub Zn) was estimated to be 0.05 atm. It was recommended that a Cd reservoir maintaining at 800 to 820 C should be used during directional solidification of Cd(sub o.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te to prevent the preferential loss of Cd to the vapor phase.