Vickers indentation hardness of Hg_1−<i>x</i>Cd_<i>x</i>Te

Abstract

Abstract The Vickers indentation hardness of Hg 1− x Cd x Te has been measured as a function of composition x using monocrystalline samples of Bridgman and THM crystals and polycrystalline starting material at room temperature. The microhardness varied between 220 MPa ( x =0) and 440 MPa ( x =1), showing a maximum of 850 MPa at x ∼ 0.75, and was different between monocrystalline and polycrystalline samples. The “hardening rate” dH/dx is strongly dependent on the composition range and is discussed in context with solid solution hardening due to elastic interactions of solute atoms with gliding dislocations and ordering effects.