Pulsed laser annealing of CdTe single crystals

Abstract

Pulsed laser treatments in air and in vacuum have been performed in CdTe wafers. The laser induced changes have been monitored by emissive mode and cathodoluminescence (CL) in a scanning electron microscope. Remarkable differences between the effects of both types of treatment have been found. In particular, while the irradiation in vacuum appears as a suitable technique for rapid annealing, irradiations in air can be accompanied by strong degradation of the sample surface.