CdTe

semiconductor
· CdTe

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a II-VI compound semiconductor with a zinc-blende crystal structure, widely recognized as a direct-bandgap material suitable for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. It is a primary material for thin-film solar cells and X-ray/gamma-ray detectors due to its favorable band gap and high atomic number, offering superior light absorption and radiation sensitivity compared to silicon-based alternatives. CdTe's established industrial presence in utility-scale photovoltaic manufacturing and medical imaging systems makes it a proven choice where efficiency, compactness, and radiation detection capability are critical; however, its toxicity and cadmium content impose strict handling and regulatory considerations that engineers must account for in design and deployment.

thin-film photovoltaic cellsX-ray/gamma-ray detectorsnuclear medicine imaginghigh-efficiency solar modulesspace-qualified solar panelsradiation detection sensors

Compliance & Regulations

?EAR?Conflict Free?RoHS?REACH?TSCA?Prop 65
PropertyValueUnitConditionsSource
Bulk Modulus(K)3 entries
5,121.1
ksi
5,077.3
ksi
5,476.6
ksi
Elastic Compliance Tensor(Sij)
Matrix (redacted)
1/GPa
Elastic Anisotropy(AU)
0.7988
-
Elastic Stiffness Tensor(Cij)
Matrix (redacted)
ksi
Poisson's Ratio(ν)2 entries
0.3299
-
0.3500
-
Shear Modulus(G)3 entries
1,964.9
ksi
1,903.9
ksi
1,811.5
ksi
N entriesMultiple entries per property — large groups are collapsed; click a summary row to expand. Use filters above to narrow by form / heat treatment / basis.
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
PropertyValueUnitConditionsSource
Thermal Conductivity(k)
3.854
BTU/(hr·ft·°F)
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
PropertyValueUnitConditionsSource
Density(ρ)
0.2018
lb/in³
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
PropertyValueUnitConditionsSource
Band Gap(Eg)2 entries
1.500
eV
0.5260
eV
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity)(εr)3 entries
12.44
-
14.82
-
10.03
range 8.683–11.37median of 2 measurements
-
Electronic Dielectric Tensor(ε∞)
Matrix (redacted)
-
Total Dielectric Tensor(ε)
Matrix (redacted)
-
Magnetic Moment(μB)
0.000
µB
Piezoelectric Modulus(eij)2 entries
0.00485
C/m²
0.7497
C/m²
Piezoelectric Stress Tensor(eij)
Matrix (redacted)
C/m²
Seebeck Coefficient(S)
-30.18
µV/K
N entriesMultiple entries per property — large groups are collapsed; click a summary row to expand. Use filters above to narrow by form / heat treatment / basis.
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
PropertyValueUnitConditionsSource
Energy Above Hull(ΔEhull)
0.00480
eV/atom
Formation Energy(ΔHf)2 entries
-0.5224
eV/atom
-0.4042
eV/atom
N entriesMultiple entries per property — large groups are collapsed; click a summary row to expand. Use filters above to narrow by form / heat treatment / basis.
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source

Regulatory Screening

Environmental

Export Control

RoHS, REACH, and Prop 65 statuses are validated against official substance lists (ECHA SVHC Candidate List, OEHHA Prop 65, RoHS Annex II). Other regulations are estimated from composition and material classification. All screening is a starting point for due diligence — always verify with your supplier before making compliance decisions.
CdTe — Properties & Data | MatWorld