Laser-induced thermomigration of Te precipitates in CdZnTe crystals

The thermomigration of tellurium precipitates in a cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) crystal was observed using an infrared (IR) CO2 laser beam. Te precipitates present in CdZnTe have been shown to thermally migrate along a temperature gradient. Selective energy deposition from an IR laser beam in Te precipitates was investigated as a potentially advantageous approach to speed the annealing of Te precipitates in CdZnTe. Initial results indicate Te precipitates do thermally migrate under IR laser heating.