A comparison of the dominant Auger transitions in p-type (Hg,Cd)Te☆

Abstract We predict that the Auger hole-hole collision process involving a transition from the light hole band to the heavy hole band is an important recombination mechanism in non-degenerate p-type (Hg,Cd)Te. This is based on a comparison of the calculated lifetime for this mechanism with that due to the electron-electron collision mechanism discussed by Beattie and Landsberg which involves only the heavy hole valence band. We have estimated the ratio of the intrinsic lifetimes of these two mechanisms by approximating the integrals appearing in the lifetime expressions. We have determined the range of composition, temperature and doping density over which the Auger lifetime in p-type (Hg,Cd)Te is controlled by the light hole mechanism.