Scientists from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS in Novosibirsk have developed a super-pure crystal made of cadmium and tellurium, which can be used in solar panels, optics and electronics.
Such crystals are important for devices that work with light, such as electro-optical modulators or radiation sensors. But previously, it was difficult to obtain a large and high-quality crystal: existing methods produced too many defects and were poorly suited for mass production.
Novosibirsk scientists have found a way to grow crystals with the desired characteristics. They carefully purify the raw materials and use a special two-zone furnace, creating a temperature difference between the "hot" and "cold" zones. At a temperature from 900 ºC to 500 ºC, the crystal is formed in four hours.
As a result, it is possible to obtain samples up to 50 mm long and up to 35 mm in diameter with high quality — they transmit infrared radiation well and contain almost no defects. According to the developers, this material is especially suitable for use in electro-optical modulators.
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