Domain of CuPtB-type and CuAu-I-type ordered structures in highly strained CdxZn1-xTe/ZnTe heterostructures

Abstract

The ordered behaviors in highly strained CdxZn1-xTe/ZnTe epitaxial layers grown on (001) GaAs substrates were investigated by using selected area electron diffraction pattern (SADP) and cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements. The results of the SADP and the HRTEM measurements showed that CuPt- and CuAu-I-type ordered structures were formed in the CdxZn1-xTe epitaxial layers. TEM images showed that the sizes of the ordered domains with elliptical shapes ranged between approximately 10 and 80 nm. An epitaxial relationship between the CuPt- and CuAu-I-type ordered structures was observed. The coexisting behaviors of the two ordered structures and the epitaxial relationship between the structures are discussed. The present results can help to improve the understanding of the formation mechanism and the coexisting behaviors of the two ordered structures in CdxZn1-xTe epilayers. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.