On the possibility of a flare-up of discrete exciton absorption structure in n-CdxHg1−xTe crystals in a magnetic field

A discrete absorption peak with an exciton-like behavior was observed to flare up in Cd_xHg_1?xTe with x≈0.3 when a magnetic field H was applied. Its diamagnetic shift, which is replaced at high H by a close-to-linear relationship typical for diamagnetic exciton spectroscopy, and the splitting permit one to evaluate ?_g=0.2579±0.0001 eV and to calculate the band parameters of the material. Evaluation of the fluctuation potential well depth for the electrons and holes suggests, however, a high probability of exciton trapping at potential wells at H = 0 and x ≈ 0.3. Application of a magnetic field above 40 k0e can break the Coulomb bond between the electron and the hole, whereas at lower fields the existence of excitons is possible.