Direct observation of sublimation process on a CdTe(1 1 1) surface using an ultrafine particle

A particle with a CdTe core and carbon mantle was produced by the advanced carbon-coating method which enables direct coverage with a carbon layer using an electron microscope. The coagulated particles containing approximately 30–200 CdTe particles produced by the gas evaporation method were covered with a carbon layer of about 7 nm thickness at 300°C. By heating these particles above 500°C, the sublimation process of a part of the CdTe particle can be directly captured by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and recorded in real time on videotape. Sublimation on the CdTe(1 1 1) surfaces occurred in the step flow mode of two (1 1 1) layers. It was observed that two (1 1 1) zinc-blende layers changed to the (0 0 0 2) würtzite configuration unit just before sublimation. The condensation of CdTe on the sublimated particle surface and growth of CdTe in the carbon layers were also captured in the video image. These sublimation processes were discussed in terms of the existence of the polarity of II–VI compounds.