Preparation and Photoconductive Properties of Cadmium Telluride Films

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Abstract
Cadmium telluride was made by combining purified cadmium and tellurium in stoichiometric proportions in an evacuated Vycor tube. Thin films of this material were deposited by condensation across the short gaps between Aquadag electrodes in Dewar-type tubes. These films have a high resistance at room temperature and show a large photoconductive effect, with a peak response at about 0.8 micron. When the films are deposited in the presence of indium vapor, the dark resistance can be brought down to a value of approximately one to ten megohms for a film of one-half millimeter in width. The resistance of the films under illumination will then be a few tenths of a megohm. Iodine vapor will also reduce the dark resistance of cadmium telluride films, but in this case, the photoconductive effect almost disappears.