Characterization of CdTe crystals grown under microgravity conditions

Abstract

The electrical properties of two types of CdTe crystals grown in space (solution and vapour phase) were investigated and compared with those of control samples, grown under the same thermal conditions on earth. The study shows that crystals grown in space contain smaller concentrations of electrically active defects and exhibit higher mobility-lifetime products, higher resistivities and better nuclear detection properties. Space growth of CdTe is thus shown to be a promising method for obtaining high quality, detector-grade CdTe material.