Electron Holography Studies of Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K04247
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 21050:Electric and electronic materials-related
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: Cassidy Cathal 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 量子波光学顕微鏡ユニット, スタッフサイエンティスト (40792156)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: holography / semiconductor / CdTe

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The electron holography method can uniquely and quantitatively image the potential distribution in a semiconductor material at the nanoscale level. On the other hand, CdTe is considered to be extremely useful as a material for next-generation medical imaging detectors, but there is still much room for improvement in the characteristics of the detector. The main causes are the material defects of CdTe itself and the deterioration of electrical properties due to the semiconductor-metal junction interface. This project aims to elucidate the effects of CdTe defects by observing at the nanoscale level using electron holography, and to contribute to improving the characteristics of the CdTe detector.

Free Research Field

Physics

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

We have measured intrinsic material parameters that were previously unknown. We have also clarified the underlying physics which defines mean free paths in off-axis holography. We have established a collaboration with a local CdTe semiconductor company to continue the research.