Effect of doping and heat treatment on the mechanical parameters of ZnSe(1 − x)Tex crystals grown from the melt

The mechanical properties of crystals of ZnSe(1 − x)Tex (0 < x < 1.3 wt %) solid solutions are investigated using the indentation method. The breaking points of doped and undoped crystals are measured by the uniaxial compression method. It is revealed that the microhardness anisotropy coefficient for crystals with a tellurium dopant content of ∼0.3 wt % is equal to unity. A change in the tellurium content in the solid solutions from 0.2 to 1.3 wt % leads to a linear increase in the microhardness by 23%. The brittle strength of the ZnSe and ZnSe(1 − x)Tex crystals varies in a similar manner. It is demonstrated that heat treatment and the presence of interblock boundaries affect the ultimate strength and the cracking resistance of the ZnSe(1 − x)Tex crystals. This is an important factor which should be taken into account in mechanical treatment of the materials under investigation.