Optical investigations of defects inCd1−xZnxTe

Abstract

We investigated the optical properties of defects in CdTe and ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{-}\mathit{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{\mathit{x}}$Te (0<x<1). Residual impurities give rise to specific far infrared absorptions, while metal vacancy-donor complexes (A centers), identified by optically detected magnetic resonance, are characterized by their near infrared (1.4 eV) photoluminescence (PL) properties. The specific zero-phonon-line positions and phonon couplings are worked out for these complexes involving different group-VII (F, Cl, Br, In) or group-III (In, Al) donors. In addition to the A center PL two emission bands are found at 1.135 and at 1.145 eV. The temperature dependences of the PL show that the 1.145 eV luminescence follows the temperature dependence of the band gap, while the energy position of the 1.135 eV band emission shifts to higher energies with increasing temperature. The A-center PL and the luminescence bands at 1.1 eV are investigated throughout the complete alloy composition range form x=0 to 1. The A center and the 1.135 eV band were found to follow the band-gap shift from CdTe to ZnTe, whereas the 1.145 eV luminescence keeps its emission energy constant.