Elastic State Induced Energy Gap Variation in ZnTe/ZnMgTe Core/Shell Nanowires

Abstract

The zinc telluride (ZnTe) nanowires grown recently are covered with the ZnMgTe shell. As a result of addition of magnesium the ZnMgTe lattice is expanded with respect to pure ZnTe lattice. From the lattice mismatch between the ZnMgTe shell and ZnTe nanowire core the internal strain and stress are created. Depending on the shell thickness and the Mg content in the shell the optical emission exhibits a considerable energy shift. To estimate this effect, at least qualitatively, the elastic state of the nanowire is calculated.
An analysis of the state of strain and stress in the core-shell nanowire within linear elasticity, using an analogy with thermal stresses is presented, in the similar way as it is applied, e.g. in hygro-mechanics. The suitable system of the differential Lam´e-Navier’s type equations is derived, and its solution for the axially symmetric problem is given. The jump of stress at the core-shell boundary is determined.