On the time delay of the photoplastic effect

Abstract

Photoplasticity in mercury cadmium telluride, Hg1-x Cdx Te with x = 0.3, has been studied as a function of light frequency and deformation temperature. We show that there is an easily measurable time delay accompanying irradiation of the crystal and the change in stress. This time delay is temperature dependent, suggesting a diffusion of charge carriers, introduced by the light, to the interior of the crystal. A simple analysis is given of the observed temperature dependence that is consistent with the experiments.