Semimetallic Hall properties of PbTe-SnTe superlattice

Abstract

The PbTe-SnTe superlattice was expected to be a type-II superlattice where the valence band edge of SnTe is higher than the conduction band edge of PbTe. To ascertain the type-II structure, we prepared the PbTe-SnTe superlattice by hot wall epitaxy, and performed its Hall measurement. Magnetic-field-dependent and relatively small Hall coefficients were obtained for the superlattices, which show coexistence of free electrons and holes in the superlattice. Hall coefficients of the superlattices increased with annealing time owing to the gradual disappearance of the coexistence. Diffusion of Sn was studied using x-ray diffraction analysis.