HgCdTe System - Reference Guide

This system, consisting of compositions lying between the end-members, CdTe and HgTe, constitutes perhaps the third most important semiconductor after Si and GaAs. Its importance stems from the ability to tailor the band-gap precisely between that (1.5eV) of the semiconductor, CdTe, and the zero value of the semi-metal, HgTe; giving, in particular, one of the most versatile infra-red detectors known. The intermediate compositions also benefit from the usual mechanisms which improve the mechanical properties of alloys.