Optical constants of CdTe (Cadmium telluride)
Marple 1964: n 0.86–2.5 µm
Complex refractive index (n+ik)
Derived optical constants
Dispersion formula
$$n^2-1=4.68+\frac{1.53λ^2}{λ^2-0.366}$$Comments
Room temperature
References
D. T. F. Marple. Refractive index of ZnSe, ZnTe, and CdTe. J. Appl. Phys. 35, 539-542 (1964)
Data
Additional information
About Cadmium telluride
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is an inorganic compound that typically crystallizes in a cubic zincblende structure. It is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap energy of approximately 1.5 eV, making it highly suitable for photovoltaic applications, especially thin-film solar cells. CdTe solar cells are commercially significant due to their lower manufacturing costs and competitive efficiency levels compared to silicon-based cells. Besides photovoltaics, CdTe is also employed in infrared detectors, radiation detectors, and electro-optic modulators. However, the presence of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, calls for stringent handling and disposal protocols and has prompted research into recycling methods. Synthesis methods for CdTe include physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and close-spaced sublimation, among others, each offering unique advantages in terms of film quality and manufacturing scalability. Despite the environmental concerns related to its toxicity, CdTe remains a highly relevant material in renewable energy technologies and continues to attract research efforts aimed at mitigating its environmental impact.
Other names and variations:- CdTe