This project seeks to achieve a fundamental understanding of the behavior of the dopants (controlled impurity atoms) needed to obtain desired levels of electrical conductivity of crystalline zinc selenide (ZnSe), a II-VI compound semiconductor material. This material has important potential applications such as solid state devices which emit blue light, including lasers, which are not currently available. Such devices would provide advantages for optical information storage systems, full color displays, laser printers, and other purposes. However, the inability to control the conductivity of ZnSe in the way commonly done with other semiconducting materials has thus far prevented its use for such practical applications. Sophisticated optical spectroscopy with and without the influence of intense magnetic fields, and electrical measurements are being employed to explore the behavior of various impurities in the material, and to determine which ones are most suitable for controlling its conductivity in the way that is necessary for device applications. Close collaborations with industrial crystal growers are an important part of the program.
