Feasibility study of cadmium zinc telluride growth using a submerged heater in a vertical bridgman system

Computer simulations are performed to assess the feasibility of a submerged heater system for growth of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT). Adding a submerged heater to the vertical Bridgman configuration in the manner of the submerged heater method (SHM) and axial-heat-flux-close-to-the-phase-interface (AHP) systems allows superior control of the growth interface shape and significant reduction in thermal stress. Simulations demonstrate that maintaining a constant gap width between heater and growth interface is critical to achieving uniform axial segregation when using zone leveling. Radial segregation remains somewhat nonuniform, however, because of the poor mixing in the interface region.