Investigation of carrier scattering mechanisms in n-Cd1−xMgxSe single crystals using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

•Infrared absorption coefficient of CdMgSe single crystals was measured.•Dominating scattering mechanisms in CdMgSe are on optical phonons and impurities.•Carrier concentration for CdSe determined using optical and electrical methods was in good agreement.

This paper presents results of investigations of carrier scattering mechanisms in n-Cd1−xMgxSe mixed crystals with magnesium content varying from x = 0 to x = 0.33. Experimental results obtained by means of the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Hall measurements are discussed in the frame of the Drude and the quantum theories. The character of the wavelength dependence of the optical absorption coefficient in investigated crystals was found to be of the type ∼λp, where 2 < p < 3.5. The p = 2 is expected from the Drude theory and the relaxation time approximation. The obtained experimental values of p parameter suggest that the optical phonon and impurity scattering mechanisms are dominating scattering mechanisms in these crystals. The calculated carrier concentration from optical absorption spectrum for a n-CdSe crystal is in a good agreement with this obtained from Hall measurement.