Texas Instruments Corporation

Towfik H Teherani

D Dawn Little

Arturo Simmons

A method of passivation of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te and similar semiconductors by surface oxidation (such as anodic) followed by chemical conversion of the oxide to either sulfide or selenide or a combination of both is disclosed. Preferred embodiments provide sulfide conversion by immersion of the oxide coated Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te in a sodium sulfide solution in water with optional ethylene glycol and the selenidization by immersion in a solution of sodium selenide plus sodium hydroxide in water and ethylene glycol. Also, infrared detectors incorporating such sulfide and selenide passivated Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te are disclosed.

Passivation oxide conversion wherein an anodically grown oxide is

Passivation oxide conversion

A method of passivation of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te by anodic selenidization is disclosed; in preferred embodiments the selenidization is by anodic growing of the selenides in an electrolyte solution of sodium selenide in water and ethylene glycol or in a solution of sodium selenide plus sodium hydroxide in water and ethylene glycol. Also, infrared detectors incorporating such selenide passivated Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te are disclosed.

Selenidization passivation

A method of passivation of HG.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te by anodic selenidization is disclosed; in preferred embodiments the selenidization is by anodic growing of the selenides in an electrolyte solution of sodium selenide in water and ethylene glycol or in a solution of sodium selenide plus sodium hydroxide in water and ethylene glycol. Also, infrared detectors incorporating such selenide passivated Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te are disclosed.

The disclosure relates to a method of passivating mercury cadmium telluride substrates wherein a substrate surface is lapped and cleaned and then placed in an electrolyte solution containing sulfide ions to electrolytically grow a sulfide passivating layer on the lapped and cleaned surface. A preferred electrolyte solution is formed with sodium sulfide, water and ethylene glycol.

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Towfik H Teherani