Crystal structure and properties of Cd_xZn_1-xO alloys across the full composition range

We have synthesized Cd_xZn_1-xO alloys across the full composition range. The structural mismatch of the two endpoint compounds splits the alloy into two regions of distinct optical and electrical behavior. The wurtzite phase alloys at compositions 0 < x <0.69 exhibit a decrease in the absorption edge across the visible range and an increase in the conductivity with increasing Cd content. A phase transition to the rocksalt structure is observed above x = 0.69 along with a step increase in the electron mobility and the absorption edge. The intrinsic bandgap of these alloys was determined taking into account the carrier filling and renormalization effects. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.