Monocrystals of Hg1-xCdxTe, with x equal to 0.35, 0.27 or 0.20, were studied by means of positron annihilation at –150 to 500C. It was found that, when samples were heated from 20 to 500C, the positron mean lifetime and the Doppler broadening lineshape parameter always exhibited ‘V’-type behaviour; with a minimum at about 250C. This behavior was attributed to the annealing and creation of Hg vacancies. The formation enthalpy of VHg2- was estimated to be 0.71eV. the lifetimes in the bulk state and in the VHg2- trapped state were 282 and 310ps, respectively. The specific positron trapping rate of VHg2- was estimated to be 5 x 1014/s.

X.J.He, X.F.Li, L.H.Li, W.Z.Yu, J.R.Xiao: Journal of Physics - Condensed Matter, 1989, 1[SA], 91-5