Impact of α-particles on the nearest-neighbour environment in CdxHg1 –x Te surface layers

Abstract

α -Particle irradiation of the gapless semiconductors, cadmium mercury telluride in particular, increases the stability of their surface structures and allows variation in the relative concentrations of the surface cadmium and mercury atoms in the parent substrates. α-Particles are specific for changing the nearest-neighbour interaction pattern. The direct electronic interaction becomes predominant owing to the negligible size and high (+ 2) electric charge of the α-particle giving rise to electron density redistribution between Hg 5d and Te 5p bands.