Variations in stoichiometry in Hg(1-x) Cd(x) Te using electrolyte electroreflectance: a topographical investigation.

We have developed a unique approach for evaluating the local composition x as a function of position on the surface of crystals of Hg(1-x) Cd(x) Te utilizing electrolyte electroreflectance. The method is nondestructive and can be employed at room temperature. The technique is sensitive enough to determine changes of composition Deltax approximately 0.002 for samples in which x approximately 0.2-0.3 with a spatial resolution of about 150 microm. This approach has a number of advantages over the microprobe technique.