Abstract
The enhancement of the O 2 interaction with HgCdTe (MCT) surfaces by local electron irradiation of the sample during the oxygen exposure is shown for the first time. Electron-beam stimulated oxidation (ESO) of MCT has been hindered by the ease in which this material is damaged by electron beams, so that only electron-activated effects concerning surfaces exposed to excited oxygen were previously reported. The characteristics of the oxidation kinetics and of the oxide layers grown by ESO on nominal Hg 0.8Cd 0.2Te surfaces are discussed and compared with the results derived only from the action of a hot-filament on the oxygen gas phase. The ESO kinetics are found to be dependent on the energy and current density of the electron beam. Like the oxides achieved by activated oxygen, those grown by ESO contain Cd and Te and are deficient in Hg. No evidence of Hg-depletion in the interface region is detected. When operated under suitable conditions, the action of the electron beam is proved to increase both the oxidation rate and saturation oxide thickness, without producing additional decreases of the Hg signal with respect to the oxygen activated case.
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