Two-and three-dimensional conduction channels at block boundaries in (CdHg)Te mosaic crystals

Additional electronic conduction has been observed along the block boundaries in mosaic n-type CdxHg1−xTe crystals. Conduction along block boundaries is two-dimensional (2D) in one group of samples and three-dimensional (3D) in another group. The main parameters of the 2D and 3D channels—electron density cyclotron mass, relaxation time, and mobility—were determined by analyzing the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations. In strong magnetic fields at liquid-helium temperatures conduction occurs mainly along a network of conducting channels at block boundaries. The resistance of such a network of 2D channels in a 6×1.5×0.5 mm3 sample equals approximately 110 Ω and is virtually temperature-independent.